Introduction
On 18 February 2017, a serious incident (Airprox) occurred at 11:34 UTC between two aircraft near Martigny, Switzerland, approximately 34 NM southeast of the SPR VOR. The incident was investigated by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB).
Aircraft Information
Piper PA-46-500TP (HB-PRN)
- Owner/Operator: Private
- Registration: HB-PRN
- Call sign: Hotel bravo papa romeo november
- Flight rules: Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
- Departure: Les Eplatures (LSGC)
- Destination: Lausanne – La Blécherette (LSGL)
- Onboard equipment: Traffic Advisory System (TAS)
Bombardier BD700 1A10 Global 6000 (CS-GLG)
- Owner/Operator: NetJets Transportes Áereos, S.A., Portugal
- Registration: CS-GLG
- Call sign: NJE8NJ (Fraction eight november juliett)
- Flight rules: Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
- Departure: Sion (LSGS)
- Destination: Newcastle (EGNT)
- Onboard equipment: Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
Incident Sequence
At 11:34:14 UTC, the two aircraft reached a minimum separation of 675 ft vertically and 0.4 NM horizontally. The incident occurred in Class E airspace, where IFR flights are not separated from VFR flights.
Airspace and Services
The incident took place in Class E airspace. Air traffic services involved included the Sion Tower, Geneva Area Control Center (ACC), and the Geneva Flight Information Center (FIC). The proximity was classified as Collision Risk 2.
Cause
The incident was due to the use of Class E airspace by a VFR flight and an IFR flight without arrangements to ensure separation between them.
Aftermath
The incident was reported to the STSB on 20 February 2017, and an investigation was opened on 7 April 2017. The STSB notified authorities in the United States, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Portugal appointed an accredited representative.