What happened
On September 16, 2007, a private DR400, registration F-GAVC, was conducting a recreational flight from Vesoul, France, toward the Mont Blanc massif. While communicating with the Geneva Flight Information Centre (FIC), the pilot was instructed to avoid the Geneva Terminal Control Area (TMA) Class C airspace. Despite these instructions, the aircraft entered the controlled TMA 2 airspace at approximately 13:28 UTC at an altitude of 6,500 feet.
Simultaneously, an Airbus A320, operating flight LTE 7544 (EC-JTA) from Palma de Mallorca to Geneva, was conducting a commercial IFR flight. The crew had requested and received authorization for a visual approach to runway 23. As the A320 descended through FL155, the aircraft encountered the unauthorized VFR traffic.
At 13:32 UTC, the Geneva Approach controller issued traffic information to the A320 crew regarding an aircraft in the opposite direction. Shortly thereafter, a Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA) was triggered. Radar data confirmed that the two aircraft reached a minimum lateral separation of 1.4 NM and a vertical separation of only 200 ft. The crew of the A320 reported seeing a TCAS Type A alert and visually identified the DR400 as it passed above them.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the unauthorized entry of the DR400 into the Class C airspace and the subsequent failure to maintain separation. Investigators examined the coordination between the Geneva FIC and the Geneva Approach controller. It was noted that while the FIC operator identified the intrusion and suggested a course change to avoid the TMA, the aircraft continued its course and began a shallow descent.
Investigators also reviewed the actions of the Approach controller. Although the controller provided traffic information and issued a heading change to the A320, the investigation found that the controller had the capability to intervene earlier to prevent the loss of separation. The investigation also looked into the interface between the FIC and the Approach service, noting that the lack of a dedicated TMA control position contributed to the difficulty in managing the conflict.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the unauthorized intrusion of the DR400 into the Geneva TMA Class C airspace.
- The Approach controller did not take over responsibility for the VFR aircraft despite the known intrusion.
- There was a systemic deficiency in the interface between the Flight Information Centre (FIC) and the Approach control service.
- The pilot of the DR400 failed to follow the prescribed route to avoid the controlled airspace.