Airspace related event involving a Beech 1900C, VH-KFN and an Aerospatiale AS350 B2, VH-VRW, Newman Aerodrome, Western Australia, on 6 September 2012

On 6 September 2012, the pilot in command (PIC) of a Beech 1900C, registered VH-KFN (KFN), rejected a takeoff on runway 05 at Newman, Western Australia, as he believed that the flight path of an Aerospatiale AS.350 B2, registered VH-VRW (VRW) that had become airborne parallel to runway 05, would conflict with his aircraft. As the aircraft slowed from 120 kt, 11 kt above V₁, the PIC of KFN observed VRW turn right and cross the runway about 200 m in front, at about 200 ft above ground level.

The PIC of KFN and the pilot of VRW made all necessary broadcasts but the pilot of VRW did not hear all the broadcasts from KFN and only became aware of the aircraft when he heard ‘KFN aborting’. The pilot of VRW later reported that he felt under pressure to transit to a remote site to evacuate an injured person.

As a result of this occurrence, the airfield operator has advised the ATSB that they are seeking to have information promulgated in the aviation information publication for Newman on visual and radio shielding between the apron and the threshold runway 05, and on helicopter arrival and departure procedures.

A study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) found that perceived or actual pressure can contribute significantly to degradation in human performance and behaviour. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on-line store has a number of resources to assist pilots to understand the significance of pressures in the aviation environment.

Aviation Short Investigation Bulletin – Issue 17