Breakdown of co-ordination involving a Piper PA-31, VH-KLS, Williamtown, New South Wales, on 7 September 1992

ASOR 9200127

Circumstances

VH-KLS departed Williamtown for Canberra at 1032 hours on a charter flight using IFR procedures. At 1040 hours the pilot contacted Sydney Flight Service and reported that he was on the 015 radial of the Sydney VOR and maintaining 6,000 ft.

The Flight Service Officer [FSO] held a flight strip on the aircraft but had received no co-ordination from Williamtown ATC. The FSO then contacted Williamtown ATC to ascertain the co-ordination required and was informed that VH-KLS had departed at 1032 hours.

There was no known conflicting traffic and therefore no breakdown in separation.

Significant Factors

1. Williamtown ATC did not co-ordinate the departure time of VH-KLS as required by the Manual of Air Traffic Services [MATS].