5/5 Two Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft
On July 24th, 2022, a PIA Boeing 777-200 was operating Flight PK-211 from Islamabad (ISB) to Dubai (DXB), cruising at 36,000 ft (11,000 m). Another PIA Airbus A320 was operating Flight PK-268 from Doha (DOH) to Peshawar (PEW), cruising at 35,000 ft (10,700 m).
Over the Iranian-controlled airspace, the 777 (PK-211) was given the instructions to proceed to waypoint PATAT and expect FL200, and stand by for descent. While the pilots acknowledged the message, they initiated the descent, bringing PK-211 on the trajectory of PK-268.
The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) immediately kicked in and instructed PK-211 to climb to FL363 while instructing PK-268 to descend to FL346. Both aircraft followed instructions and continued without further incident.
4/5 Barcelona Airport (BCN) incident
On July 5th, 2014, a UTair Boeing 767-300, on its flight from Moscow, was cleared to land on runway 02 at BCN. Moments before touchdown, the pilots noticed an Aerolineas Argentinas Airbus A340-300, scheduled to depart for Buenos Aires (EZE), attempting to taxi across runway 02.
Just over 200 ft (61 m) above the ground, the UTair pilots initiated a go-around to avoid what could have been a catastrophic event. The investigators found that both the 767 and the A340 received simultaneous clearances from their respective controllers.
Photo: NBC News
The 767 came nearly 50 ft (15 m) above the ground when it crossed the runway threshold. Nevertheless, the 767 continued the go-around and landed safely without further incident.
3/5 Springfield-Branson Airport (SGF) incident
On August 15th, 2018, an American Eagle Embraer 145, operated by Envoy Air, carrying 50 passengers and three crew members, nearly collided with an airport van upon takeoff from runway 14 at SGF. The van, carrying three General Aviation employees, was crossing the active runway to attend an airport barbecue event.
According to the driver, the van was cleared to cross runway 14 by ground control. However, the driver did not look both ways before crossing the runway. With the nose gear of the ERJ-145 already rotated, the main gears missed the crossing van by a slight margin. Both the van and the aircraft continued their journeys without further incident.
2/5 Two Japan Airlines (JAL) aircraft
On January 31st, 2001, a JAL Boeing 747-400 was operating Flight 907 from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Naha Airport (OKA), carrying 411 passengers and 16 crew members. Another JAL aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, was operating Flight 958 between Gimhae Airport (PUS) in Busan and Tokyo Narita (NRT).
At 37,000 ft (11,300 m), the TCAS warned both aircraft of being on the collision course and instructed the 747 to climb and the DC-10 to descend. Meanwhile, a “trainee” controller at the Tokyo Area Control Center mistakenly instructed the 747 to descend. The 747 followed the controller’s instructions, while the DC-10 followed the instructions from the TCAS.
Both aircraft carried out evasive maneuvers when they came into visual proximity and passed within 440 ft (134 m) of each other. A hundred people on the 747 incurred injuries, forcing pilots to return to HND. The DC-10 continued on without further incident.
1/5 Air Canada Flight 759
On July 7th, 2017, an Air Canada Airbus A320 operated Flight 759 from Toronto (YYZ) to San Francisco (SFO), carrying 135 passengers and five crew members. During a night approach, Flight 759 was cleared to land on runway 28R. However, the pilots mistakenly lined up on a parallel taxiway C, where four departing aircraft held short for take-off clearance.
The pilots realized the error just meters from the ground and initiated a go-around. The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) showed that the A320 had come within 59 ft (18 m) of the ground before climbing again, and missed the collision with one of the waiting aircraft by just 14 ft (4.3 m).
With four awaiting aircraft loaded with fuel and passengers, the collision could have been the greatest aviation disaster involving over 1000 people.
What are your thoughts on the aviation near misses? Could you think of other incidents in recent times? Tell us in the comments section.
Source: simpleflying.com
