History of Flight
On Wednesday morning, 25 August 2021 at 0721Z, a Piper PA-28R-200 aircraft (registration ZS-PTV) operating under a training flight (Part 141) with call sign PIU285, and a Boeing 737-400 commercial aircraft (registration ZS-JRE) operating under Part 121 with call sign SFR142, were approaching East London Aerodrome (FAEL) simultaneously.
The air traffic control officer (ATCO) instructed the student pilot (SP), the sole occupant of ZS-PTV, to route northbound (a right turn) away from the flight path of ZS-JRE, which had been cleared for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to Runway 11. The SP misinterpreted the instruction and made a left turn. The ATCO did not correct this. Subsequently, the ATCO observed ZS-PTV crossing overhead ZS-JRE, which was established on long final approach, resulting in a loss of vertical separation.
ZS-JRE continued its approach and landed safely before vacating the runway. At their closest, the aircraft were estimated to be 200 feet (61 meters) vertically and 0.2 nautical miles (370 meters) horizontally apart.
After receiving clearance for a touch-and-go on Runway 11, the SP conducted a single touch-and-go and reported safe after becoming airborne. The SP then routed outbound via Keyser's Beach.
Aircraft and Occupant Information
The Piper PA-28R-200 (ZS-PTV) was operated by 43 Air School. The student pilot held an SPL (A) (Integrated) license with 27.8 total flying hours and 32 hours on type. The Boeing 737-400 (ZS-JRE) was operated by FlySafair. The pilot-in-command held an ATPL (A) with 6980.6 total flying hours and 2875.8 hours on type. There were 1+0 persons on board ZS-PTV and 6+158 on board ZS-JRE.
Meteorological Information
At the time of the incident, the METAR for FAEL (250700Z) was: wind 03004KT 350V060, CAVOK, temperature 19°C, dew point 08°C, QNH 1020 hPa.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries resulted from this serious incident, and neither aircraft sustained damage.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The investigation determined the probable cause to be a loss of minimum separation (AIRPROX) between the two aircraft on final approach after the student pilot deviated from executing the ATCO's instruction. Contributing factors included incorrect execution of the ATCO's instructions by the SP, and omission by the ATCO to correct the misinterpreted readback by the SP.