de Havilland Canada DHC-7-102, VH-UUM, 13 km west-south-west of Cairns Aerodrome, Queensland, on 17 November 1999

The crew of the Dash 7, registered VH-UUM, were cleared to track visually via Kuranda. The crew of the Cessna 310, registered VH-XXT, were cleared to track visually via Stoney Creek. Both aircraft had flight planned IFR and were entitled to positive air traffic control separation. Such separation was not provided and the required radar separation standard of 3 NM between the two aircraft was infringed.

The investigation revealed that the strategy for separation employed by the approach controller did not provide a separation standard. Radar separation was an option, in accordance with the Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS), 9-2-1, paragraph 19, if the departing aircraft had been issued a standard radar departure. Such a departure was not provided. Moreover, because vertical separation had not been employed, the controller had to rely on lateral separation to ensure the aircraft did not conflict. However, lateral separation would not exist if both aircraft were simultaneously east of a line Stoney Creek-Kuranda. There was no separation assurance. MATS 4-1-1, paragraphs 4-6 place significant emphasis on the need for controllers to apply separation assurance techniques.

Realising the potential confliction after take-off, the controller attempted to establish a visual sighting of the departing aircraft by the crew of the arriving aircraft. The visibility was reduced due to smoke haze, making a sighting unlikely. If a sighting had been achieved, it would have allowed the transfer of separation responsibility from the controller to the pilot. The crew of the arriving aircraft were unable to sight the departing aircraft. The controller then requested the crew of the arriving aircraft to make a right orbit but the crew were unable to comply due to high terrain. The crew suggested a left orbit, which was agreed to by the approach controller. The left orbit however, further reduced the distance between the two aircraft.

The crew of the departing aircraft then sighted the arriving aircraft, with the assistance of the aircraft's TCAS, and were able to visually maintain separation. Vertical separation was reduced to 100 ft when the aircraft were 1.5 NM apart. The required radar separation was 3 NM or 1,000 ft vertically.