TCAS RA event involving two Boeing 737-8FE, VH-VUX and ZK-PBF near Sydney Airport, NSW on 10 June 2013

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 June 2013, the ATSB commenced an investigation into an occurrence involving a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) Resolution Advisory received by the flight crew of a Boeing 737-800, registered VH-VUX, during an independent visual approach to runway 34R at Sydney Airport, New South Wales on 10 June 2013. The second aircraft involved in the resolution advisory, another Boeing 737, registered ZK-PBF, was on approach to runway 34L. 

Examination of the information collected during the initial stages of the investigation identified that the flight crews in both aircraft complied with all air traffic control requirements and there was no loss of separation. 

The ATSB is investigating an earlier occurrence involving independent visual approaches at Sydney Airport that occurred on 4 June 2013 (investigation AO-2013-095). This will include a review of other occurrences associated with these types of approaches, including that at Sydney on 12 June 2013. Any safety issues associated with independent visual approaches at Sydney can be expected to be identified as a result of investigation AO-2013-095.

Accordingly, the ATSB has decided to discontinue investigation AO-2013-098.