Airspace related event – Amateur Built Van’s RV-8, VH-YGY, 6 km south-east of Redcliffe Aerodrome, Queensland, on 13 May 2012

On 13 May 2012, a Cessna Aircraft Company 208, registered VH-DZQ (DZQ), was conducting parachute operations at Bells Beach near Redcliffe aerodrome, Queensland. At about the same time, an amateur built Van’s RV-8 aircraft, registered VH-YGY (YGY), was on a scenic flight around the Brisbane area.

At about 1229 Eastern Standard Time, DZQ departed Redcliffe aerodrome and at about 1249 dropped nine parachutists from Flight Level (FL) 140 at Bells Beach. The pilot of DZQ made all necessary radio broadcasts prior to and immediately after the parachute drop.

At about 1252, as YGY flew along Bells Beach, the pilot saw four parachutes and made a slight right turn to pass about 150 to 200 ft above and about 50 ft to the right of one parachutist. The location of YGY when the parachute-related broadcasts were made by DZQ meant that the pilot could not have heard the calls.

The incident highlights the importance of accurate information being available to pilots to facilitate an adequate pre-flight brief. The correct placement of parachute symbols on the Brisbane Visual Terminal Chart (VTC) or a NOTAM on current parachute operations would have alerted the pilot of YGY to the potential for parachutists in the Bells Beach area.

The incident also demonstrates the need for pilots to maintain continuous visual scans and not rely solely on radio broadcasts for traffic advice.

Aviation Short Investigation Bulletin - Issue 12