Incident
During a flight in instrument meteorological conditions, a Cessna 402 was in level flight while an Airbus A-300 was descending for landing. The Cessna 402 passed behind the Airbus A-300 and subsequently rolled inverted. The pilot of the Cessna 402 was able to regain control of the aircraft and continued to its destination, where it landed without further incident.
Flight Conditions
Both aircraft were operating under instrument flight rules and were on instrument flight plans. They were being vectored by air traffic control for approach. The conditions were such that the pilots were relying on instruments for navigation and separation.
ATC Procedures
The Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic control procedures at the time did not specify criteria for appropriate vertical and horizontal clearance when one aircraft is not executing the same flight profile as the other. This lack of defined separation standards for aircraft on different flight profiles was noted in the context of the incident.
Aftermath
No damage or injuries were reported from the incident. The Cessna 402 pilot successfully recovered from the unusual attitude and completed the flight without any further issues.