Runway incursion - SAAB 340, VH-ZLH / Vans RV10, VH-PGX, Taree Airport, New South Wales, on 23 March 2012

At 1400 Eastern Daylight-saving Time on 23 March 2012, as a Vans RV-10 registered VH-PGX (PGX) became airborne at about 65 kts, the pilot of PGX observed another aircraft enter runway 22 at Taree, NSW and turn right for the threshold of runway 04. PGX passed directly overhead the other aircraft at about 300 ft.

The other aircraft was identified as a Regional Express, SAAB Aircraft Co 340B registered VH-ZLH (ZLH). After the incident, the captain of ZLH established contact with PGX and neither aircraft experienced problems communicating with the other.

As a result of the incident, the operator of ZLH will amend procedures to more clearly define radio procedures for both flight crew and ground staff at those Common Traffic Advisory Frequency aerodromes without an Aerodrome Frequency Response Unit.

This incident highlighted the need for pilots to apply all available methods to maintain separation with other aircraft when operating outside controlled airspace. These methods include the utilisation of both alerted and un-alerted see-and-avoid principles, the use of on-board collision avoidance systems where fitted and all available aircraft lighting.