Investigation number
199300757
Occurrence date
State
Queensland
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Loss of separation
Occurrence class
Incident

At 0758 EST, VH-OUD contacted Brisbane Approach 28km north of Brisbane at 3,000 feet requesting an airways clearance. Approach answered that a clearance was not available and that the aircraft was required to remain outside controlled airspace. Approach also told the aircraft to contact the Redcliffe common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) and to call Approach again at 0805 EST. Another aircraft, VH-HEI, was on descent inbound to Brisbane and had been assigned 3000 feet. As the progress of this aircraft was being monitored on radar, the Approach Controller realised that VH-OUD had penetrated the control area. Attempts to contact VH-OUD were unsuccessful so VH-HEI was vectored clear of VH-OUD. The separation standard of 5 miles was infringed during this sequence. The pilot of VH-OUD contacted Approach again about 5 miles north of Brisbane Airport and was processed for landing. The pilot later said that he heard the instruction to remain outside controlled airspace. A short time later, however, he had been told to squawk ident on the aircraft transponder and was informed that VH-OUD had been radar identified. He interpreted this to mean that he could continue into controlled airspace at 3,000 feet.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Beech Aircraft Corp
Model
A36
Registration
VH-OUD
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Caloundra QLD
Destination
Brisbane QLD
Damage
Nil
Aircraft Details
Model
262A
Registration
VH-HEI
Sector
Turboprop
Departure point
Bundaberg QLD
Destination
Brisbane QLD
Damage
Nil