Near collision involving Cessna 177RG, VH-OOJ and Cessna 172, VH-VSO, near Ballarat, Victoria, on 15 April 2016

What happened

On 15 April 2016, the pilot of a Cessna 172 aircraft, registered VH-VSO (VSO), was conducting a solo navigation training flight from Ballarat to Warrnambool, Portland, Hamilton and return to Ballarat, Victoria.

On the same day, two pilots, both instructors, were conducting a local training flight in a Cessna 177RG aircraft, registered VH-OOJ (OOJ), from Ballarat Airport. At about 1648 Eastern Standard Time (EST), while tracking south-east about 12 NM from Ballarat Airport, and at about 3,800 ft, the pilot in command, who was the pilot-not-flying and in the left seat, sighted VSO out of the right window about 100 to 200 ft below. The pilot in command then took control of the aircraft from the other pilot and commenced a steep climb. VSO then passed beneath OOJ. Shortly after, the pilots of OOJ heard the pilot of VSO broadcast on the common traffic advisory frequency, 10 NM west of Ballarat and inbound to the airport.

The pilot of VSO reported that they could not recall their altitude when about 12 NM west of Ballarat, but would normally be between 3,500 and 4,500 ft on descent. The pilot reported scanning the sky to look out for other aircraft, and maintaining a listening watch on the area and Ballarat common traffic advisory frequencies. The pilot did not hear any broadcasts from the pilots of OOJ and did not observe any aircraft in close proximity during the flight.

Pilot comments

Pilot in command of VH-OOJ

The pilot in command of OOJ reported both pilots were maintaining a general lookout for other aircraft. However, at a moment when the other pilot was pointing to one of the aircraft instruments, the pilot in command sighted VSO out of the right window. The pilot in command commented that while it is important to understand the instruments during endorsement training, this should not detract from the lookout for other aircraft. 

Operator comments

Operator of VH-OOJ

The operator of OOJ commented that Ballarat is a very busy training airport with the training area to the west. Therefore, if pilots of aircraft arriving from the west broadcast prior to 10 NM from the airport, this may increase the situational awareness of pilots of other aircraft in the training area.

Safety message

This incident highlights the importance of using both un-alerted and alerted see-and-avoid principles and maintaining a vigilant lookout at all times.

The ATSB SafetyWatch highlights the broad safety concerns that come out of our investigation findings and from the occurrence data reported to us by industry. One of the safety concerns is safety around non-controlled aerodromes.

Research conducted by the ATSB found that, between 2003 and 2008, 181 occurrences of reduced separation in the vicinity of non-towered aerodromes were reported, of which 55 were near mid-air collisions (aircraft proximity events). Insufficient communication between pilots and breakdowns in situational awareness were the most common contributors to safety incidents.

Aviation Short Investigations Bulletin - Issue 51