CAD continues to follow up on air traffic control incident
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) noted that the Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has published its preliminary report on an air traffic control (ATC) incident that occurred on February 27. The CAD has attached great importance to the incident since it took place, and besides extending its full co-operation to the AAIA on its investigation, the CAD has also immediately initiated an internal investigation and follow-up actions in accordance with procedures.
The CAD's internal investigation revealed that the primary cause of the incident was related to human factors. It was an isolated incident which involved non-compliance by ATC personnel with established procedures for arranging aircraft for take-off. This resulted in two aircraft not being able to maintain the required separation. After the incident, both aircraft continued to their destinations according to their flight plans.
The investigation also indicated that the co-ordinated take-off ATC procedure involved in this incident has been in place and practised for many years. Following the incident, the CAD immediately restated to all tower air traffic controllers the ATC procedures and requirements that must be followed. Arrangements have been made to temporarily remove the personnel involved from frontline ATC duties, and appropriate follow-up action will be taken in accordance with procedures. Furthermore, the CAD has formulated additional measures to strengthen procedures, including the relevant operational procedures and equipment monitoring, with the aim of preventing the recurrence of similar incidents in the future.
