Synopsis
On 19 December 2020, at 16:39:52 UTC, two aircraft—an Airbus A320 (registration N538AV) operated by Avianca as flight AVA 9486, and a privately operated Hawker 800XP (registration N800NJ)—came into close proximity with a risk of collision (AIRPROX) in the Sierra Eco control sector of Bogotá. The event occurred on airway B689, 16.41 nautical miles north-northwest of the waypoint MIKOX, at coordinates S 03°05'45" / W 070°00'03".
Flight Details
The Airbus A320 was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Bogotá (SKBO) to Leticia (SKLT) with 148 people on board. Its filed flight plan included a cruise altitude of FL350 via the POVSO2U SID, then PABON, B689, MIKOX, and LET. The Hawker 800XP departed from Leticia (SKLT) to Rionegro (SKRG) with 6 people on board, planning to fly at FL320 via the MIKOX2C SID, MIKOX, B689, PABON, and subsequent routes. Both aircraft were to operate along the ATS route B689 between the compulsory reporting points PABON and MIKOX, but in opposite directions.
Timeline of Events
Prior to the incident, when flight AVA 9486 was approaching the Amazon Terminal Area, two aircraft were inbound to Leticia on B689: flight KRE 2142 at FL320 and flight AVA 9486 at FL350, separated by 40 NM. As these aircraft neared PABON, they requested descent. Bogotá Control cleared them to FL250 and FL260, respectively. Meanwhile, the Hawker 800XP (N800NJ) had departed Leticia and was climbing. At the time of the incident, both the Airbus A320 (now at FL260) and the Hawker 800XP (also at FL260) were flying on the same airway in opposite directions at the same flight level. The situation resulted in a loss of standard separation and a risk of collision, classified as a serious incident (AIRPROX).
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the two aircraft, flying in opposite directions, had both been authorized to operate at flight level FL260 on airway B689. The probable cause of the incident was the authorization for two aircraft with converging routes on the same airway to fly at the same flight level (FL260). Contributing factors included issues related to air traffic control coordination and procedures, as detailed in the full investigation report.
Conclusion
The incident did not result in a collision, but the close proximity constituted a serious risk. No injuries or damage to aircraft were reported. The investigation recommended improvements in air traffic control procedures and coordination to prevent similar occurrences.