Investigation number
199603324
Occurrence date
State
Victoria
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Near collision
Occurrence class
Incident

VH-OZM and VH-OZN were on descent OCTA aproaching Cowes. OZN was the leading and lower aircraft and both pilots were aware of and communicating with each other and the pilot of OZM had OZN in sight ahead and below. Both pilots were communicating with Melbourne Centre. When the two aircraft were on descent, the controller that he had lost the mode C altitude readout for OZN. As they approached Cowes, the pilot of OZM diverted his attention to some cockpit duties. Shortly afterwards, he heard the pilot of OZN give his Cowes position report and at that time OZM was still four miles from Cowes by GPS. When the pilot of OZM next sighted OZN, after passing Cowes, the two aircraft were at the same level and laterally separated by approximately 100 metres.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-31
Registration
VH-OZN
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Wynyard Tas
Destination
Moorabbin Vic
Damage
Nil
Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-31-350
Registration
VH-OZM
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Devonport Tas
Destination
Moorabbin Vic
Damage
Nil