Twin-engine Beech Duchess (Credit: Brenden Scott) and single-engine Cessna 172 (Credit: Mark Mabey)
ZK-JED Beech 76/ ZK-WFS Cessna, 172 Near mid-air collision, Ardmore Aerodrome, 3 October 2023
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
What happened
On 3 October 2023 aircraft ZK-JED, a twin-engined Beech 76 Duchess, (the Beech) and ZK-WFS, a single-engined Cessna 172, (the Cessna), were flying at night at Ardmore Airport.
While on final approach to the runway, the Beech passed over the top of the Cessna. The pilot of the Cessna reported that the Beech passed above them “within 20 feet”. The Cessna discontinued the approach and initiated a go-around. Both aircraft subsequently landed normally.
Why it happened
The pilot flying and the instructor on the Beech were unaware of their proximity to the Cessna in the circuit.
The external aircraft lighting on the Cessna met the regulatory requirements for night flying. However, the pilots of the Beech said they found it difficult to clearly identify the Cessna in the circuit.
The two aircraft flew different vertical profiles on final approach to land which increased the risk of one aircraft not seeing the other. Contributing to the different vertical profiles flown was that a local altitude restriction for Ardmore Airport was published in their operations manual and not in the Aeronautical Information Publication New Zealand (AIPNZ) available to all pilots.
There were potentially two opportunities for radio transmissions to have identified developing conflict between aircraft.
What we can learn
‘See and avoid’ is the primary method for ensuring aircraft separation at unattended aerodromes. It is underpinned by pilots actively listening to all radio calls, processing the details of calls, and then using these to check their mental model of each aircraft’s position in the approach sequence. Pilots should request a repeat of any transmission that they cannot understand.
Conspicuity of aircraft flying at night can be enhanced by modern lighting, such as light emitting diode (LED) lighting.
Aerodrome operators must ensure that all locally agreed procedures are published in the approved documentation accessible to all pilots.
Who may benefit
Aerodrome operators, aircraft owners and all pilots may benefit from reading this report.
On 3 October 2023 aircraft ZK-JED, a twin-engined Beech 76 Duchess, (the Beech) and ZK-WFS, a single-engined Cessna 172, (the Cessna), were flying at night at Ardmore Airport.
While on final approach to the runway, the Beech passed over the top of the Cessna. The pilot of the Cessna reported that the Beech passed above them “within 20 feet”. The Cessna discontinued the approach and initiated a go-around. Both aircraft subsequently landed normally.
Why it happened
The pilot flying and the instructor on the Beech were unaware of their proximity to the Cessna in the circuit.
The external aircraft lighting on the Cessna met the regulatory requirements for night flying. However, the pilots of the Beech said they found it difficult to clearly identify the Cessna in the circuit.
The two aircraft flew different vertical profiles on final approach to land which increased the risk of one aircraft not seeing the other. Contributing to the different vertical profiles flown was that a local altitude restriction for Ardmore Airport was published in their operations manual and not in the Aeronautical Information Publication New Zealand (AIPNZ) available to all pilots.
There were potentially two opportunities for radio transmissions to have identified developing conflict between aircraft.
What we can learn
‘See and avoid’ is the primary method for ensuring aircraft separation at unattended aerodromes. It is underpinned by pilots actively listening to all radio calls, processing the details of calls, and then using these to check their mental model of each aircraft’s position in the approach sequence. Pilots should request a repeat of any transmission that they cannot understand.
Conspicuity of aircraft flying at night can be enhanced by modern lighting, such as light emitting diode (LED) lighting.
Aerodrome operators must ensure that all locally agreed procedures are published in the approved documentation accessible to all pilots.
Who may benefit
Aerodrome operators, aircraft owners and all pilots may benefit from reading this report.