Separation event involving an Aeroprakt 22LS, VH-EVQ and a Piper PA-28, VH-NRZ at Bankstown Airport, NSW on 28 June 2015

Section 21 (2) of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (TSI Act) empowers the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to discontinue an investigation into a transport safety matter at any time. Section 21 (3) of the TSI Act requires the ATSB to publish a statement setting out the reasons for discontinuing an investigation.

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On 6 July, 2015 the ATSB commenced an investigation into a reported near collision involving an Aeroprakt 22LS, registered VH-EVQ and a Piper PA28, registered VH-NRZ at Bankstown Airport, New South Wales on 28 June 2015.

As per procedure, the pilot of the PA28 called Bankstown Tower when at Prospect Reservoir, for a clearance to enter the control zone. ATC  issued a clearance for the PA28 to join downwind for runway 29 R and maintain 1,500 ft. Shortly after, ATC issued a traffic alert to the pilot of PA28. As the PA28 was tracking in a southerly direction from Prospect, making it in potential conflict with an airborne Aeroprakt 22LS. The Aeroprakt 22LS was climbing after the pilot had been cleared for a departure from runway 29R. The pilot of the Aeroprakt 22LS manoeuvred to the left to increase separation with the PA28.

The ATSB reviewed the recorded air traffic control data. The data indicated that the separation distance between the two aircraft was not as close as first reported, meaning that a near collision did not occur. The ATSB did not identify any systemic issues that contributed to the incident and assessed that no safety issues would be identified by continuing the investigation. On that basis, the ATSB has decided to discontinue the investigation.