History of Flight
On Monday, 23 August 2021, an Embraer EMB-135KL aircraft, registration ZS-ALJ, operating flight Link621, was on a scheduled air transport service from Cape Town International Aerodrome (FACT) to George Aerodrome (FAGG) in the Western Cape. Onboard were three crew members and 28 passengers. The aircraft departed FACT at 0520Z, with an estimated flight time of 35 minutes.
Simultaneously, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19 aircraft, registration ZS-CMG, operating flight KEM125, was on a scheduled flight from George Aerodrome (FAGG) to O.R. Tambo International Aerodrome (FAOR) in Gauteng. Onboard were three crew members and 38 passengers. The flight was scheduled to depart at 0545Z. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) at FAGG indicated that Approach Control opened at 0530Z and the Tower at 0545Z.
Incident Sequence
The pilot-in-command of ZS-CMG elected to take off from Runway 29 at own discretion, following the unmanned aerodrome departure procedures, before the tower officially opened at 0545Z. This decision was made after the Approach Controller advised that Runway 11 was in use and that an aircraft (ZS-ALJ) was inbound for landing from the west. As a result, the two aircraft were on reciprocal tracks: ZS-CMG departing Runway 29 and ZS-ALJ approaching Runway 11.
Both aircraft were tracked on secondary surveillance radar (SSR). Shortly after take-off, ZS-CMG turned left towards the sea. The Approach Controller instructed ZS-ALJ to turn right, also towards the sea. The closest point of approach between the two aircraft was 14 nautical miles (nm).
Injuries and Damage
No injuries were reported among the 3 crew and 28 passengers on ZS-ALJ, nor among the 3 crew and 38 passengers on ZS-CMG. Neither aircraft sustained any damage.
Probable Cause
The pilot-in-command of ZS-CMG elected to take off from Runway 29 by following the unmanned aerodrome departure procedures (pilot’s discretion) before the tower officially opened at 0545Z. This was after being advised by the Approach Controller that Runway 11 was in use and that an aircraft (ZS-ALJ) was inbound for landing from the west, resulting in the two aircraft being on reciprocal tracks. The Approach Controller instructed the ZS-ALJ aircraft to deviate by turning to the right of the track until clear of the departing conflicting traffic.