What happened
On June 2, 2012, at approximately 10:24 UTC, a serious near-collision occurred at Bern-Belp Airport. A Robinson R44 II helicopter, registration HB-ZSA, requested departure from helipad 1 with instructions to fly "around the tower." The air traffic controller authorized the helicopter to depart at its own discretion via taxiway KILO toward waypoint HOTEL.
Roughly one minute later, the controller issued takeoff clearance for a SkyWork Airlines Dornier 328-100, registration HB-AES, for runway 32. During the helicopter's departure, the pilot performed an avoidance maneuver that placed the aircraft on a flight path converging with the centerline of runway 32. This resulted in a high-risk encounter with the departing airliner.
The investigation
SUST examined the operational procedures at Bern-Belp, specifically focusing on the coordination between the aerodrome control (ADC) and the departure controller. The investigation reviewed the technical aspects of the taxiway usage, the lack of defined helicopter departure routes, and the communication between the flight crews and air traffic services. The investigators also analyzed the airport's manual regarding helicopter operations, which noted that because no official Final Approach and Take-Off area (FATO) existed, departures were authorized at the pilot's own discretion.
Findings
- The primary cause of the high-risk encounter was the simultaneous use of taxiway KILO and runway 32 for departure operations.
- There was a lack of a defined Final Approach and Take-Off area (FATO) for helicopter operations at the airport.
- No established departure routes existed for helicopters to specific waypoints (HE, H, or HW).
- The use of taxiway KILO as an obstacle-free departure area for helicopters created systemic risk.
- The existing procedures for large aircraft were restricted by the limited usability of taxiway KILO south of taxiway CHARLIE.
Safety action
Following the incident, SUST issued safety recommendations to the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (BAZL) to ensure the creation of a dedicated FATO and the establishment of fixed helicopter departure routes. Additionally, a recommendation was made for a comprehensive analysis of operational procedures to reduce complexity and systemic risks. Since the incident, the airport operator has implemented a new visual approach chart and area chart that includes specific routes for helicopter operations "around the tower."