Summary
The pilot reported that Melbourne Control had instructed him to call Melbourne on 126.0 Mhz at Yass, which he did. He was not aware at the time that this frequency was in fact a Melbourne Flight Information Service (FIS) frequency. The aircraft was at Flight Level 180, in controlled airspace. As a result, communications between ATC and the aircraft were disrupted, during which time the aircraft commenced descent without a clearance. The pilot should have called Melbourne Control on 126.6 MHz.
It was determined that the correct frequency was passed to the flight crew.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199301148 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 21/04/1993 |
| Location | 37 km north-east of Wagga Wagga |
| State | New South Wales |
| Report release date | 30/08/1993 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Operational non-compliance |
| Occurrence class | Incident |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Saab Aircraft Co. |
|---|---|
| Model | SF-340B |
| Registration | VH-LIH |
| Sector | Turboprop |
| Operation type | Air Transport Low Capacity |
| Departure point | Sydney NSW |
| Destination | Wagga Wagga NSW |
| Damage | Nil |