What happened
On December 19, 2020, at approximately 16:39 UTC, a serious airprox incident occurred in the Bogotá Sector SE, specifically 16.41 NM north-northwest of the MIKOX position. The event involved an Airbus A320, registration N538AV, operating a commercial flight from Bogotá to Leticia, and a Hawker 800XP, registration N800NJ, operating a private flight from Leticia to Rionegro.
The conflict arose when both aircraft were authorized to fly at flight level FL260 while traveling in opposite directions. The Airbus A320 was descending through FL260, while the Hawker 800XP was climbing through the same level. The two aircraft crossed paths with a vertical separation of only 1,300 feet and a horizontal separation of just 0.4 NM. At the moment of the encounter, the combined radar speed of the two aircraft was calculated at 813 knots.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined air traffic control (ATC) recordings, flight plans, radar imagery, and technical documentation from the Bogotá Sector SE and Amazonas Approach. The investigation focused on the coordination between different ATC units and the specific instructions provided to the crews.
Investigators found that while the aircraft were within the responsibility of the Bogotá Sector SE, the Airbus A320 was communicating with Amazonas Approach, while the Hawker 800XP was communicating with Bogotá Sector SE. This fragmentation of communication contributed to the lack of situational awareness regarding the converging flight paths.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the assignment of the same flight level (FL260) to two aircraft traveling in opposite directions.
- There was a lack of effective coordination between the Bogotá Sector SE and Amazonas Approach controllers regarding the conflicting altitudes.
- The controller in the Bogotá Sector SE failed to maintain awareness of the Hawker 800XP's climb profile, leading to an inability to establish timely communication to prevent the conflict.
- The instructions provided to the pilot of the Hawker 800XP were inconsistent, involving consecutive assignments of FL250 and FL260.
- The crew of the Airbus A320 performed an evasive climb that was contrary to the TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) command, while the Hawker 800XP crew also performed an evasive maneuver.