Avionics system event involving a Boeing 747-438, VH-OJO and Douglas DC8-73, N796FT, Oakland Oceanic Airspace, on 26 January 1998

FACTUAL INFORMATION

The Boeing 747 (B747) was maintaining flight level 350 (FL350) when the crew received a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) resolution advisory, warning of conflicting traffic crossing their track at an altitude 400 ft below. They were able to contact the other aircraft, which was a Douglas DC8 maintaining FL330 in accordance with air traffic control (ATC) instructions.

Both crews were able to maintain their respective levels and no evasive action was required. When the DC8 departed Auckland, ATC verified that the secondary surveillance radar altitude readout had correlated with the reported altitude from the crew. However, on arrival at Honolulu, ATC noted a 1,500 ft difference in the altitude reported by the crew to that showing on the radar display. The aircraft transponder was providing an erroneous altitude, but the crew had no flightdeck display to enable them to check what information the transponder was emitting.

The equipment failure had occurred between departing radar coverage at Auckland and the point at which the B747 crew received the TCAS alert. Initial maintenance action by the company indicated a faulty encoder, but an ongoing investigation in the USA revealed that the central air data computer had been providing faulty inputs to both transponders.

SAFETY ACTION

As a result of this occurrence, the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation is investigating a perceived deficiency involving the lack of information available to flight crews regarding the serviceability of altitude encoders. In addition, the Bureau is investigating the lack of information displayed to crews regarding altitude information being transmitted by transponders. Any recommendations issued as a result of these investigations will be published in the Bureau's Quarterly Safety Deficiency report.