Airspace incursion involving a Beech Aircraft Corp V35A MK II, VH-ILE and Beech Aircraft Corp C99, VH-OXD, 25 km north of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, on 8 July 1993

A Beech 99 aircraft had been cleared to descend to 2,000 feet on approach to Coffs Harbour. As the aircraft was approaching 2,300 feet the pilot heard a radio transmission from VH-ILE which placed that aircraft in the vicinity of his aircraft at an altitude of 2,000 feet. The pilot of the Beech 99 arrested the descent of his aircraft at 2300 feet until he was well clear of VH-ILE.

The pilot of VH-ILE had apparently requested an airways clearance, but this transmission was not received by Coffs Tower and no clearance was issued to the aircraft. The pilot believes he must have mis interrupted transmissions to other aircraft as a clearance from Coffs Tower for his aircraft.