Aviation safety investigations & reports
Near collision involving Piper PA-28, VH-BYE, and Cessna 152, VH-CRP, Bunbury Airport, WA on 15 April 2016
AO-2016-036

Final Report
On 15 April 2016, at about 1400 Western Standard Time, the student pilot of a Piper PA-28-181 aircraft, registered VH-BYE (BYE), departed from Jandakot Airport on a solo navigation training flight to Bunbury Airport, Western Australia. At about 1500, when about 10 NM north of Bunbury Airport, the pilot broadcast on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that they were inbound for a straight-in approach to runway 07.
At the time, a Cessna 152 aircraft, registered VH-CRP (CRP), was conducting circuit training at Bunbury Airport. On board CRP were an instructor and a student pilot. The active runway at Bunbury was 07, and the crew were broadcasting on the CTAF when on the downwind, base and final legs of the circuit.
After completing a touch-and-go landing, CRP was upwind of runway 07, at about 300 ft above ground level, when the student sighted BYE on a reciprocal track – on short final for runway 25, and alerted the instructor. The instructor took control of the aircraft and took avoiding action, turning right, and BYE passed about 50 to 100 ft below and to their left.
When on final approach, at about 400 ft above ground level, the pilot of BYE realised they were approaching runway 25 instead of 07 and saw CRP pass to their left. The pilot of BYE conducted a slight right turn and commenced a climb to 1,500 ft.
After the incident, both aircraft landed on runway 07.
This incident highlights the importance of thorough pre-flight planning and preparation. The Flight planning kit – always thinking ahead, available from CASA’s online store, can assist pilots in preparing for flight.
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General details
Date: | 15 April 2016 | Investigation status: | Completed | ||
Time: | 15:00 WST | Investigation level: | Short - click for an explanation of investigation levels | ||
Location (show map): | Bunbury Airport | ||||
State: | Western Australia | Occurrence type: | Near collision | ||
Release date: | 08 September 2016 | Occurrence class: | Operational | ||
Report status: | Final | Occurrence category: | Serious Incident | ||
Highest injury level: | None |
Aircraft 1 details
Aircraft manufacturer | Cessna Aircraft Company | |
---|---|---|
Aircraft model | 152 | |
Aircraft registration | VH-CRP | |
Serial number | 15283363 | |
Type of operation | Flying Training | |
Sector | Piston | |
Damage to aircraft | Nil | |
Departure point | Bunbury, WA | |
Destination | Bunbury, WA |
Aircraft 2 details
Aircraft manufacturer | Piper Aircraft Corp | |
---|---|---|
Aircraft model | PA-28-181 | |
Aircraft registration | VH-BYE | |
Serial number | 28-7790582 | |
Type of operation | Flying Training | |
Sector | Piston | |
Damage to aircraft | Nil | |
Destination | Bunbury WA |