Synopsis
On 12 February 2013 at 07:37:16 UTC, a UAEAF BAE Hawk and an Emirates Airlines Boeing 777-300 (registration A6-EBD) were involved in a serious incident classified as a Category A AIRPROX (loss of separation) near Dubai International Airport runway 12R. Neither aircraft reported injuries or damage.
History of the Flight
The BAE Hawk had departed from Al Minhad Air Base at approximately 07:00 and was in radio contact with Dubai Approach Control Unit (Minhad Radar Sector) at Al Maktoum International Airport. The Hawk requested to transit the Dubai control zone on a heading of approximately 300° at low level and high speed. However, the Hawk was transmitting on a different frequency than required for communication with the responsible Dubai air traffic controllers. Consequently, Dubai ATC was not in communication with the Hawk and had not been advised of its flight plan, although the aircraft was observed on radar with a Mode C transponder.
The Hawk had been observed on radar entering and exiting various control zones around Dubai Emirate, causing multiple airspace infringements. At approximately 07:35, a Boeing 777 scheduled passenger flight to Istanbul (LTBA) was cleared for takeoff from runway 12R by Dubai Tower (Air South). At that time, the Hawk was approximately 12 nautical miles from runway 12R, traveling at 360 knots at about 500 feet AGL on an interception heading across the runway centerline.
As the Boeing 777 accelerated after takeoff, its climb profile coincided with the Hawk's path, resulting in a breakdown of separation. The Hawk performed a rapid evasive maneuver to avoid crossing the runway centerline and intersecting the civil aircraft's climb profile. The Boeing 777 continued to its destination, while the Hawk returned to Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDM).
The incident was reported to the GCAA as a Category A AIRPROX/loss of separation serious incident. The investigation by the GCAA Air Accident Investigation Sector is ongoing, with a separate internal investigation by the UAEAF.