History of the Flight
On 5 June 2024, at approximately 07:27 UTC, an Embraer ERJ-190, registered F-HBLJ, operated by HOP! as flight AFR65YU, and an ATEC 321 microlight, identified as 84OM with call sign F-JKSF, were involved in an airprox incident at Marseille-Provence Airport. The ERJ-190 was on a passenger commercial flight from Lyon-Saint-Exupéry, while the microlight was on a private cross-country flight from Aix-les-Milles.
The ERJ-190 crew was cleared for an RNP 31R approach. The microlight pilot contacted the Marseille-Provence Tower controller, requesting to transit south. The controller instructed him to proceed to reporting point November Bravo (NB) and report at November Bravo 3. The pilot read back correctly.
At 07:24:57, the microlight pilot reported approaching NB. A new Tower controller did not respond immediately and instead instructed another aircraft to switch to Approach frequency. The microlight pilot misunderstood, believing the instruction was for him, and switched frequencies. The controller did not detect the error and confirmed.
At 07:25:25, the Tower controller instructed the microlight pilot to stay with him and perform a 360° turn, but the pilot had already switched to Approach frequency and did not hear. He continued toward reporting point S. The controller repeatedly tried to contact him without success. Meanwhile, the ERJ-190 was cleared to land at 07:25:48.
At 07:26:37, the ERJ-190 crew, finding the approach unstabilized, initiated a go-around at 875 ft without immediately informing the controller. At 07:27:06, a TCAS Traffic Advisory (TA) and then a Resolution Advisory (RA) to "MAINTAIN VERTICAL SPEED" were triggered. The aircraft climbed, crossing the microlight's path with a minimum separation of 389 m (0.17 NM) horizontally and 775 ft vertically. At 07:27:17, the microlight crossed the runway axis.
Subsequently, the microlight pilot reestablished contact with Tower, explaining his confusion. The incident concluded without injuries or damage.
Additional Information
The airspace around Marseille-Provence is complex. The Class D controlled zone extends from ground to 2,500 ft, with Tower frequency 133.100 MHz. The Approach frequency for the northern sector was 127.725 MHz, but its transceiver, located near Avignon, did not cover the airport at the microlight's altitude (1,500 ft). Consequently, the microlight pilot could not hear or be heard by the Approach controller until in range of other aircraft.
The ERJ-190 captain had about 12,000 flight hours; the co-pilot about 1,580 hours. Both reported fatigue due to a short night and delays. The crew forgot to engage Approach Mode during descent but performed a go-around when they detected an unstabilized approach. They heard the controller trying to contact VFR traffic but were unaware of its exact position.
The investigation highlighted communication difficulties arising from a misread back and the limitations of radio coverage. No probable cause was assigned.