Near collision involving a Piper PA-32R-301, VH-NIQ and Beech Aircraft Corp 76, VH-WZB, Tailem Bend, South Australia, on 4 March 1994

199400549

Summary

The pilot of VH-WZB had completed an IFR training session at Tailem Bend and departed for Adelaide, maintaining 4,000 feet and flying in and out of cloud. He was advised by Adelaide Flight Service of opposite direction IFR traffic, VH-NIQ, enroute from Adelaide to Tailem Bend to conduct IFR training and maintaining 5,000 feet.

A short time later an electronic traffic alerting system installed in VH-WZB alerted the pilot of an aircraft approaching head-on at the same level. The instructor descended the aircraft rapidly to 3,500 feet and the traffic, which was identified as VH-NIQ, passed overhead.

The Flight Service Officer had overlooked amended details concerning VH-NIQ revising its cruising altitude to 4,000 feet.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 199400549
Occurrence date 04/03/1994
Location Tailem Bend
State South Australia
Report release date 19/06/1994
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Near collision
Occurrence class Incident

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Beech Aircraft Corp
Model 76
Registration VH-WZB
Sector Piston
Operation type Flying Training
Departure point Parafield SA
Destination Parafield SA
Damage Nil

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Piper Aircraft Corp
Model PA-32R-301
Registration VH-NIQ
Sector Piston
Operation type Flying Training
Departure point Parafield SA
Destination Parafield SA
Damage Nil