What happened
On June 10, 2016, a Saab 340 operating a scheduled flight from Paderborn (EDLP) to Palma de Mallorca (LEPA) experienced a significant communication breakdown while traversing French airspace. While under the jurisdiction of Nice Radar, the crew was instructed to switch to the Provence Radar frequency of 124.350 MHz. Upon establishing contact with the new sector, the crew overheard a message suggesting that the frequency being used was incorrect. Due to heavy radio traffic and a lack of clarity regarding the target of that specific message, the pilot queried the controller for the correct frequency, but was incorrectly reassured that the current frequency was appropriate.
As the aircraft approached the RIXOT waypoint, the crew proactively reported their position to Provence Radar because they had not received a handover instruction. The controller responded by stating the aircraft was on the wrong frequency and refused further assistance, instead instructing the crew to revert to the previous sector—an instruction that was impractical given the distance already traveled. Seeking to resolve the situation, the captain established contact with Palma Approach on 119.150 MHz. Upon making contact, the controller informed the crew that a search and rescue action had been considered due to the aircraft's absence from the correct frequency and the subsequent loss of communication.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the aircraft operator, examined the sequence of radio communications between the crew and the various radar sectors, including Nice Radar and Provence Radar. The inquiry focused on the instructions provided by air traffic controllers and the crew's monitoring of emergency frequencies.
Findings
- The primary cause was the incorrect instruction provided by the Nice Radar ACC controller, which directed the aircraft to the wrong frequency.
- The Provence Radar controller failed to maintain orderly radio communications and did not redirect the aircraft to the correct frequency after the pilot had queried the situation.
- The crew failed to properly monitor the 121.500 MHz emergency frequency because the volume on the second radio set was turned down too low.