Incident Overview
A Lufthansa Boeing 747, registration D-ABYP, operating as flight 5432, was involved in a near collision with a light single-engine aircraft while on approach to New Orleans International Airport. The incident occurred during an ILS localizer backcourse approach to Runway 19.
Sequence of Events
The 747 was vectored for the approach and was at 2,000 feet MSL when the arrival controller instructed the crew to contact the tower on a different frequency. Shortly thereafter, the arrival controller observed a VFR-coded target on radar. The controller attempted to warn the 747 crew using an override feature, but another controller was transmitting at that moment.
The 747 crew spotted the other aircraft coming head-on and executed evasive action by making a steep right turn. The light aircraft, a single-engine plane, was also flying at 2,000 feet MSL. It was never identified and was not observed to take any evasive action.
Airspace and Regulations
A Group II Terminal Control Area (TCA) was in effect at New Orleans. The near collision occurred where the minimum altitude for that segment of the instrument approach was at the bottom of the TCA. Visual flight rules (VFR) flight up to the bottom of the TCA in that area was legal.
Occupants
The number of occupants in the light aircraft was unknown.