What happened
On July 10, 2015, at approximately 12:00 UTC, a loss of separation occurred within the Madrid Terminal Control Area (TMA) involving two aircraft. The first, an Egyptair Boeing 737-800, registration SU-GCO, was on final approach to runway 18L at Madrid-Barajas Airport (LEMD). The second, a military Casa C-212, registration T12B65, had departed from Torrejón (LETO) and was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
While the military aircraft was following the designated North VFR corridor, the crew performed an unplanned maneuver to avoid a flock of birds. This maneuver involved a westward turn and an ascent that took the aircraft out of the established VFR corridor and into the approach path of the commercial flight. As the aircraft climbed, the separation between the two planes decreased to approximately 0.3 NM horizontally and 8 and 800 ft vertically, triggering a TCAS Resolution Advisory (RA) on the Boeing 737-800.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined radar data, air traffic control (ATC) communications, and pilot reports. The investigation established that the military aircraft had departed Torrejón and was initially within the permitted altitude for VFR departures. However, the bird strike avoidance maneuver caused the aircraft to climb above the VFR altitude limits and deviate from the prescribed corridor.
ATC records showed that controllers in the AFS sector attempted to contact the military aircraft multiple times without success, as the aircraft was not communicating with any local agency during the deviation. Controllers also attempted to instruct the Egyptair crew to maintain altitude to preserve separation, but the TCAS RA had already been triggered. The investigation confirmed that the Boeing 737-800 crew followed TCAS instructions, leveling off at 7,300 ft, before eventually completing the landing safely.
Findings
- The military Casa C-212 abandoned the North VFR corridor while ascending above the maximum altitude permitted for VFR departures.
- The deviation of the military aircraft toward the runway localizers caused the loss of separation with the Egyptair flight.
- The crew of the military aircraft performed an unplanned maneuver to avoid birds, which led to the deviation from the assigned flight path.
- The military aircraft was not in communication with ATC during the period of the incident.
- There were no injuries to the 83 occupants of the Boeign 737-800, and no damage was sustained by either aircraft.