History of the Flight
On 6 June 2018, Air Arabia flight ABY 555, an Airbus A320-214 (registration A6-ANL), was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIAP), Peshawar, to Sharjah International Airport. The aircraft departed from Runway 35 following the HANGU 1A Standard Instrument Departure. Shortly after becoming airborne, while turning right to proceed from overhead Peshawar to HANGU, the flight crew reported a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System Resolution Advisory (TCAS RA).
At the time of the TCAS RA alert, a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter, call sign MOMIN 171, an F-7 PG aircraft, had been cleared by a military controller to execute a pitchout maneuver for landing on Runway 35 behind the departing ABY 555. The PAF fighter delayed its pitchout maneuver and instead of turning at mid-runway, turned left at the end of the runway. This action resulted in a reduction of the required separation between the two aircraft.
According to the report, the tower controller passed traffic information to ABY 555 about the PAF fighter crossing behind at circuit altitude, and the flight crew reported being visual with the traffic. ABY 555 informed air traffic control that the military traffic was maintaining 2,000 feet and was very close, and inquired why the traffic information had not been passed earlier. When queried by ATC, ABY 555 confirmed over radiotelephony that they had received a TCAS RA at 2,200 feet.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries were reported to any persons on board either aircraft. There was no damage to either aircraft during the occurrence. No other damages were reported.
Aircraft Information
Two aircraft were involved in the incident. The first was Air Arabia flight ABY 555, an Airbus 320-214, registration A6-ANL, operating from Peshawar to Sharjah at an altitude of 2,200 feet. The second was a Pakistan Air Force F-7 PG, call sign MOMIN 171, operating in the Peshawar area at 2,000 feet.
Meteorological and Navigational Information
Weather conditions at the time included northerly winds at 4 knots, visibility of 5 kilometers, haze, and no significant weather was reported that could have contributed to the serious incident. All navigation aids and communication facilities at Bacha Khan International Airport were fully functional with no abnormalities reported.
Other Information
The investigation was conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) of Pakistan in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and Civil Aviation Rules 1994. The PAF fighter's maneuver was identified as the action that reduced separation, but the report does not provide a formal probable cause statement.