What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-07-16 involved a 1 Boeing 737-800, registration EC-LYR, at Espacio Aéreo LECS (Sevilla), ES.

Loss of Separation between Air Europa and Ryanair Boeing 737s near Écija, Seville on 16 July 2019 (EC-LYR)

On July 16, 2019, a 1 Boeing 737-800 (registration EC-LYR) was involved in an aviation accident near Espacio Aéreo LECS (Sevilla), ES. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The investigation has determined the cause of the incident was the early transfer of the RYR61NN aircraft from the LECSMA4 sector to the collateral sector, resulting in the loss of separation between the two traffics. This summary draws on records from the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC).

Sourcesthe Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC)Primary reportUpdated 1785075856Data API Editorial standards

Aircraft registered EC-LYR. Photo: Bene Riobó / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On 16 July 2019, a loss of separation occurred between a Boeing 737-800 (EC-LYR) operated by Air Europa and a Boeing 737-8AS (EI-FRP) operated by Ryanair approximately 15 km south of Écija, Seville. The aircraft crossed at a minimum distance of 1.3 NM horizontally and 0 ft vertically. No injuries or damage were reported.

Incident Overview

On 16 July 2019 at 13:11 UTC, a loss of separation occurred between two Boeing 737 aircraft approximately 15 km south of Écija, Seville. Aircraft AEA1036, a Boeing 737-800 with registration EC-LYR operated by Air Europa, was descending to Málaga Airport. Aircraft RYR61NN, a Boeing 737-8AS with registration EI-FRP operated by Ryanair, was descending to Seville Airport. Both flights were scheduled international passenger services under IFR. All six crew members and 177 passengers on AEA1036, and all six crew and 172 passengers on RYR61NN, were unharmed. No damage to either aircraft occurred.

Sequence of Events

Prior to the incident, the Seville Area Control Centre sector LECSMA4 had both aircraft under control. The sector controller instructed them to transfer to the approach sectors of their respective airports. AEA1036 was traveling north to south, while RYR61NN was traveling east to west. The controller was aware of the intersecting trajectories and maintained regulatory vertical separation during descent.

About two minutes before the loss of separation, the LECSMA4 controller transferred control of AEA1036 to the Málaga Airport approach sector (LEMGAPM). The controller then waited for RYR61NN to cross AEA1036's path before handing it over to Seville Airport approach (LECSAPT), assuming the conflict risk was resolved. However, shortly after the transfer, the LEMGAPM controller instructed AEA1036 to turn west, causing the trajectories to converge.

At 13:10:33, the air control system generated a STCA-PAC proximity alert. Controllers of the different units did not coordinate in time to prevent the separation infringement. At 13:11:02, the loss of separation occurred, and at 13:11:17, the aircraft crossed with a minimum horizontal distance of 1.3 NM and zero vertical separation.

Cause

The investigation determined that the cause of the incident was the early transfer of the RYR61NN aircraft from the LECSMA4 sector to the collateral sector, resulting in the loss of separation between the two traffics.

Probable cause

The investigation has determined the cause of the incident was the early transfer of the RYR61NN aircraft from the LECSMA4 sector to the collateral sector, resulting in the loss of separation between the two traffics.

2019-07-16: 1 Boeing 737-800 (EC-LYR) — Espacio Aéreo LECS (Sevilla), ES