Safety Action
As a result of this and a similar occurrence, the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation is currently investigating a perceived safety deficiency. The deficiency relates to the notification of approved long range navigation systems to ATS.
Any safety output issued as a result of this analysis will be published in the Bureau's Quarterly Safety Deficiency Report
Summary
A Boeing 747 (B747) was en route between Sydney and Perth, tracking via air route Q158. The crew contacted Perth air traffic control at waypoint BIDDY, and were issued with a standard terminal arrival route (STAR) to Perth. The controller and the crew entered into a discussion regarding Perth STARs. The crew were asked if the aircraft was Area Navigation (RNAV) equipped and replied that the aircraft was not so equipped. Aircraft that are not RNAV equipped are not permitted to track on air route Q158 from Sydney to Perth.
The investigation subsequently revealed that the aircraft was RNAV equipped and therefore, permitted to use Q158. There was no infringement of separation standards.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199804738 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 26/10/1998 |
| Location | Biddy |
| State | Western Australia |
| Report release date | 19/07/1999 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Miscellaneous - Other |
| Occurrence class | Incident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | The Boeing Company |
|---|---|
| Model | 747 |
| Registration | ZS-SAN |
| Sector | Jet |
| Operation type | Air Transport High Capacity |
| Departure point | Sydney, NSW |
| Destination | Perth, WA |
| Damage | Nil |