Event
On 18 July 2020 at approximately 1230 local time, a serious incident occurred near Malta International Airport (LMML) involving an Airbus A321-271NX, registration HA-LVH, and a Tecnam P2002JF Sierra, registration 9H-VLT. The Airbus A321 was on final approach to Runway 31 under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), while the Tecnam P2002JF was conducting a first solo flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in the circuit for Runway 05.
Flight Paths
The Tecnam P2002JF, call sign Falcon 8H, departed Runway 05 at 1220 hours and was instructed to proceed to the Grand Harbour area, then join right-hand cross-wind for Runway 05. At 1227:07, while on the downwind leg, the tower controller instructed the Tecnam pilot to proceed to the Blue Grotto Visual Reporting Point (VRP) on the southeast coast and orbit there. The pilot acknowledged and flew toward the coast. Meanwhile, the Airbus A321, call sign WZZ8973, was under approach control and established on the ILS for Runway 31 at about 1226:45.
At 1228:51, the Tecnam arrived over the coast at 1,400 feet altitude and began a wide left orbit. The tower controller then instructed the Tecnam to execute a right-hand orbit at its present position, but the pilot requested clarification. The controller reiterated the instruction to proceed to Blue Grotto via the coast. The Tecnam did not read back this instruction, and the controller did not request a readback. The Tecnam continued its wide left orbit over land until heading approximately parallel to Runway 31, then reversed to a right turn descending toward the approach path of Runway 31.
At 1229:00, the Airbus was at 3 nautical miles from the threshold of Runway 31 at 1,200 feet descending on the glideslope. The tower cleared the Airbus to continue the approach. At 1229:06, the Tecnam stopped turning and was nearly on a reciprocal heading to the approach path at 1,000 feet altitude, about 0.5 nautical miles west of the threshold. At 1229:22, the tower cleared the Airbus to land.
Crossing and Separation
At approximately 1229:22, the two aircraft were on reciprocal tracks along the approach path of Runway 31. They crossed each other with an estimated vertical separation of about 200 feet. A Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) Resolution Advisory was triggered on the Airbus A321. Both aircraft subsequently landed without further incident: the Tecnam on Runway 05 and the Airbus on Runway 31.
Aircraft and Injuries
Neither aircraft sustained damage, and there were no injuries to any occupants.
Air Traffic Control
At the time of the incident, the tower controller was a trainee under the supervision of a qualified On-the-Job Training Instructor (OJTI). The OJTI had taken over from the trainee shortly before the loss of separation. Several other aircraft were in the circuit for Runway 05, and a Boeing 737-800 was holding for departure on Runway 31.