Loss of separation involving a Fokker B.V. F27 MK 50, VH-FNB and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-9, Bindook, NSW on 2 December 1994

The F27 was tracking from Canberra direct to Bindook VOR on climb to FL170. At about the same time, a military PC-9 was tracking from Shelleys NDB to Richmond via Bindook VOR, also at FL170. Both aircraft had just been handed over to Sydney Arrivals by Melbourne Sector Control, with the aircraft on converging tracks at the same level. The Arrivals Controller experienced problems with the transponder code of the PC-9 and, while attempting to correct the display errors, realised that radar separation would not be maintained. Instructions were given to the PC-9 to change heading, and for the F27 to descend to FL160. However, before the aircraft could respond, the minimum separation standards were infringed.