What happened
On June 12, 2004, at 15:55 UTC, an airprox incident occurred near Zurich Airport (LSZH) involving two aircraft. The first aircraft, a Bombardier RJ1H (registration HB-IYW) operated by Swiss International Air Lines, was performing a scheduled IFR approach to runway 28 from Munich. During this approach, a Cessna 182Q (registration HB-CQU) was operating under VFR flight rules, having departed from and intended to return to Speck-Fehraltorf (LSZK). The investigation focused on a moment when the private aircraft crossed the path of the commercial airliner without prior authorization.
The investigation
Investigators reconstructed the flight paths of both aircraft to determine the proximity of the encounter. The inquiry examined the flight trajectories of the scheduled flight and the VFR crossing to assess the actual risk posed to the crew of the HB-IYW. The investigation concluded after analyzing the maneuvers and the spatial relationship between the two aircraft during the approach phase.
Findings
While the encounter involved a VFR flight crossing the path of an aircraft on an established IFR approach, the investigation determined that there was no actual risk of collision between the two aircraft.