On 25 August 2009, a Piper Cherokee PA28-161 aircraft, registered VH-FKU, was approaching Bankstown Aerodrome, New South Wales (NSW) from reporting point 2RN in the south-west to join on a crosswind leg for runway 29 right (29R). At the same time, a Piper Chieftain PA31-350 aircraft, registered VH-HJH, was approaching Bankstown Aerodrome from Cessnock to join on a downwind leg for runway 29R. Both aircraft were being operated under the visual flight rules.
The pilot of the Cherokee was given traffic information by air traffic control and instructed to widen out to the left and told to expect to follow the Chieftain that was tracking to join on a downwind leg for runway 29R. The pilot of the Cherokee acknowledged the instruction but subsequently turned downwind in front of and inside the flightpath of the Chieftain. Traffic information was passed to the pilots of both aircraft, and the pilot of the Chieftain made a steep descending turn to avoid a collision.
