Investigation number
199403550
Occurrence date
State
New South Wales
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Operational non-compliance
Occurrence class
Incident

VH-TFB was inbound to Sydney from Canberra and had been instructed to descend to 5,000ft for an approach to runway 16R. At the same time, VH-WMY was inbound to Bankstown from the north, maintaining 3,000ft. VH-TFB was subsequently observed by radar to descend to 3,200ft, about 1 NM from VH-WMY. The pilot of VH-TFB was given traffic on the other aircraft and instructed to immediately turn left and climb to 5,000ft. This instruction was complied with promptly. The pilot of VH-WMY was visual between cloud layers and became aware of VH-TFB as it turned and climbed. The pilot of VH-TFB later reported having been distracted whilst flying through a line of thunderstorms, associated with heavy rain and turbulence, and had inadvertently descended below his assigned altitude.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
441
Registration
VH-TFB
Sector
Turboprop
Departure point
Canberra ACT
Destination
Sydney NSW
Damage
Nil
Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
600A
Registration
VH-WMY
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Tamworth NSW
Destination
Bankstown NSW
Damage
Nil