This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/gatwick-airport-plane-collision-near-miss-air-traffic-controller-error-a7221656.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Two passenger planes came within 700ft of colliding at Gatwick airport after air traffic controller error | Two passenger planes came within 700ft of colliding at Gatwick airport after air traffic controller error |
| (8 days later) | |
| A passenger jet taking off from Gatwick airport was involved in a near miss with a preceding aircraft, according to an official investigation. | A passenger jet taking off from Gatwick airport was involved in a near miss with a preceding aircraft, according to an official investigation. |
| The second plane was cleared to climb, bringing it “into conflict” with the first, the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) said. | The second plane was cleared to climb, bringing it “into conflict” with the first, the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) said. |
| When the air traffic controller responsible for the flight realised what was happening he “issued avoiding action to the pilot”, the report stated. | When the air traffic controller responsible for the flight realised what was happening he “issued avoiding action to the pilot”, the report stated. |
| The incident on April 25 involved two Airbus 319s. | The incident on April 25 involved two Airbus 319s. |
| The UKAB found that the near miss was caused by the air traffic controller not scanning his radar display before clearing the second pilot to climb. | The UKAB found that the near miss was caused by the air traffic controller not scanning his radar display before clearing the second pilot to climb. |
| “He should have seen (the first aircraft) ahead,” the report added. | “He should have seen (the first aircraft) ahead,” the report added. |
| A “standard procedure” of reducing the usual separation time between departing aircraft to increase frequency - from two minutes to 45 seconds - was given as a contributory factor. | A “standard procedure” of reducing the usual separation time between departing aircraft to increase frequency - from two minutes to 45 seconds - was given as a contributory factor. |
| The UKAB added that “poor co-ordination” by air traffic control staff also had an impact. | The UKAB added that “poor co-ordination” by air traffic control staff also had an impact. |
| Separation between the aircraft was reduced to 700ft vertically and around two miles horizontally. | Separation between the aircraft was reduced to 700ft vertically and around two miles horizontally. |
| The report found that “safety had been degraded” but the “rate of catch-up between the two aircraft was very low”. | The report found that “safety had been degraded” but the “rate of catch-up between the two aircraft was very low”. |
| The incident was assessed as having the third most serious degree of risk by the UKAB. | The incident was assessed as having the third most serious degree of risk by the UKAB. |
| Press Association | Press Association |
| iPhone 7 live blog: Latest news from Apple special event |