Separation incidents involving Airbus EC135, VH-UJB, and Aero Commander 690-A, VH-ATF, about 45 km west-north-west of Warrnambool Airport, Victoria, on 12 March 2025

Summary

The ATSB is investigating separation incidents involving an Airbus EC135 helicopter, registered VH-UJB, and an Aero Commander 690-A aircraft, registered VH-ATF, about 45 km west-north-west of Warrnambool Airport, Victoria, on 12 March 2025.

During aerial firefighting operations, the crew of the Airbus EC135 detected the Aero Commander 690-A in close proximity on TCAS. No radio calls were heard from the 690-A and the EC135 manoeuvred to establish separation.

The draft report internal review process has been completed. The draft report has been distributed to directly involved parties (DIPs) to check factual accuracy and ensure natural justice. Any submissions from those parties will be reviewed and, where considered appropriate, the draft report will be amended accordingly.

Following the external review process, any submissions and amendments to the draft report are internally reviewed. Once approved, the final report is prepared for publication and dissemination and released to DIPs prior to its public release.

The final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.