Breakdown of separation - Airbus A320, VH-VGR and Boeing 737, VH-VOD, near Melbourne Airport, Vic., 12 October 2011

AO-2011-131

Discontinued

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.

On 12 October 2011, the ATSB commenced an investigation into the breakdown of separation, between an Airbus Industrie A320 aircraft registered VH-VGR and a Boeing Company 737 aircraft registered VH-VOD near Melbourne Airport, Vic. Examination of the information collected during the investigation identified that the occurrence had significant similarities to aspects of ongoing investigation AO-2010-104, breakdown of separation, between a Boeing Company 767 aircraft registered VH-OGU and a Boeing Company 737 aircraft registered VH-VBH, near Melbourne Airport, Vic on 5 December 2010.

Accordingly, the ATSB decided to examine the 12 October 2011, breakdown of separation event as part of the broader investigation AO-2010-104 and the separate AO-2011-131 investigation was discontinued.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number AO-2011-131
Occurrence date 12/10/2011
Location 15Km west, Melbourne Airport
State Victoria
Report release date 31/01/2012
Report status Discontinued
Investigation level Short
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Discontinued
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Loss of separation
Occurrence class Incident
Highest injury level None

Aircraft details

Model A320
Registration VH-VGR
Serial number 4257
Aircraft operator Jetstar
Operation type Air Transport High Capacity
Departure point Melbourne, Vic.
Destination Auckland, NZ
Damage Nil

Aircraft details

Manufacturer The Boeing Company
Model 737
Registration VH-VOD
Serial number 30624
Aircraft operator Virgin
Operation type Air Transport High Capacity
Departure point Melbourne, Vic.
Destination Gold Coast, Qld
Damage Nil