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Miami Herald
20 hours ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Map Shows How Chinese Planes Nearly Collided in Russian Airspace
Two Chinese airliners narrowly avoided colliding in early July, after what a pilot appeared to not follow air traffic control instructions, almost resulting in disaster. A Newsweek map traces the flight paths of the aircraft involved in the incident, which occurred high above Tuva-a southern Siberian region bordering Mongolia. At the center of the mishap was an Air China Airbus A350, flight CA967, on route from Shanghai to Milan. The July 6 event began when the Air China jet unexpectedly maneuvered into the path of another Chinese plane. The confusion appeared to have originated when the pilot was given instructions along with two other Chinese planes flying northwest of CA967, according to the South China Morning Post. In a radio recording that circulated on Chinese social media, a Russian air traffic controller is heard instructing a Hainan Airlines jet and a second China Airlines plane to maintain an altitude of 36,000 feet. The authenticity of the recording could not be independently verified by Newsweek. At around 9:40 a.m. local time, CA967 climbed unexpectedly from 34,100 feet to 36,000 feet within 15 minutes, according to Flightradar24 data. The pilot did not ask for air traffic control to approve the maneuver. This sudden ascent brought the Air China jet into the path of a Boeing 767 cargo plane, flight CSS12, flying from Budapest, Hungary, to Ezhou, China. The two aircraft came within about 400 feet of each other-well below the internationally accepted 1,000-foot minimum. Audio from the cockpit captured the cargo plane's pilot noting the unexpected presence of the Air China jet directly ahead, prompting the Russian controller to order immediate evasive maneuvers for both flights. The close encounter also triggered both planes' Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems, a last-resort automated alert designed to prevent midair collisions. When the Air China pilot radioed to ask about the cause of the alert, the controller pressed: "Are you climbing with instruction or without instruction? Confirm, please." The Air China pilot replied: "No, thank you," which has drawn widespread commentary on Chinese social media. The South China Morning Post reported that the two pilots communicated further with the Air China pilot appearing to blame a Russian air traffic controller for the incident, saying instructions had left pilots "confused". A similar scare played out over the United States just days later. On Friday, a Delta Air Lines passenger jet flying from Minneapolis to Minot, North Dakota, was forced to execute a hard turn to avoid a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber. The Delta pilot expressed surprise that Minot Air Force Base, which has a radar, had not put out a notification about the flight. An Air Force spokesperson told Newsweek the service was "looking into the matter." Related Articles Trump Hosts US's Oldest Pacific Ally Amid Tensions With ChinaRussia Touts Trump-Putin Meeting for Major DeadlineChinese Navy Shadowed NATO Aircraft Carrier: ReportUS Government Worker Prevented From Leaving China: What We Know 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
a day ago
- General
- Newsweek
Map Shows How Chinese Planes Nearly Collided in Russian Airspace
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two Chinese airliners narrowly avoided colliding in early July, after what a pilot appeared to not follow air traffic control instructions, almost resulting in disaster. A Newsweek map traces the flight paths of the aircraft involved in the incident, which occurred high above Tuva—a southern Siberian region bordering Mongolia. At the center of the mishap was an Air China Airbus A350, flight CA967, on route from Shanghai to Milan. The July 6 event began when the Air China jet unexpectedly maneuvered into the path of another Chinese plane. The confusion appeared to have originated when the pilot was given instructions along with two other Chinese planes flying northwest of CA967, according to the South China Morning Post. An Airbus A321 of Air China prepares to land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on April 16, 2025. An Airbus A321 of Air China prepares to land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on April 16, 2025. Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images In a radio recording that circulated on Chinese social media, a Russian air traffic controller is heard instructing a Hainan Airlines jet and a second China Airlines plane to maintain an altitude of 36,000 feet. The authenticity of the recording could not be independently verified by Newsweek. At around 9:40 a.m. local time, CA967 climbed unexpectedly from 34,100 feet to 36,000 feet within 15 minutes, according to Flightradar24 data. The pilot did not ask for air traffic control to approve the maneuver. This sudden ascent brought the Air China jet into the path of a Boeing 767 cargo plane, flight CSS12, flying from Budapest, Hungary, to Ezhou, China. The two aircraft came within about 400 feet of each other—well below the internationally accepted 1,000-foot minimum. Audio from the cockpit captured the cargo plane's pilot noting the unexpected presence of the Air China jet directly ahead, prompting the Russian controller to order immediate evasive maneuvers for both flights. The close encounter also triggered both planes' Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems, a last-resort automated alert designed to prevent midair collisions. When the Air China pilot radioed to ask about the cause of the alert, the controller pressed: "Are you climbing with instruction or without instruction? Confirm, please." The Air China pilot replied: "No, thank you," which has drawn widespread commentary on Chinese social media. The South China Morning Post reported that the two pilots communicated further with the Air China pilot appearing to blame a Russian air traffic controller for the incident, saying instructions had left pilots "confused". A similar scare played out over the United States just days later. On Friday, a Delta Air Lines passenger jet flying from Minneapolis to Minot, North Dakota, was forced to execute a hard turn to avoid a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber. The Delta pilot expressed surprise that Minot Air Force Base, which has a radar, had not put out a notification about the flight. An Air Force spokesperson told Newsweek the service was "looking into the matter."
Cedar News
6 days ago
- General
- Cedar News
Two Chinese Planes Narrowly Avoid Mid-Air Collision Over Siberia
Earlier this month, two Chinese aircraft came perilously close to colliding over Siberia near the Mongolian border, flight data reveals. An Air China Airbus A350, operating Flight CA967 from Shanghai to Milan, unexpectedly climbed from 10,394 meters to 10,973 meters without clearance, heading directly into the flight path of an SF Airlines cargo Boeing 767 (Flight CSS128) traveling from Budapest to Ezhou. The planes passed within 90 to 120 meters of each other — well below the global safety minimum of 305 meters — triggering both aircraft's collision avoidance systems (TCAS). Russian air traffic controllers had instructed nearby aircraft to maintain their altitudes, but it appears the Air China pilot misinterpreted the directive, initiating an unauthorized climb. Shortly after, the pilots of both flights received urgent TCAS alerts and successfully maneuvered to avoid a catastrophic collision. Authorities are investigating the incident, highlighting the critical importance of clear communication and strict adherence to air traffic control instructions in maintaining flight safety.
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Terrified pilots heard panicking as near-miss sees planes come within FEET of each other
The Air China and SF Airlines pilots both appeared to blame the Russian air traffic control officer for "making a fuss" after they nearly collided in mid-air Terrified pilots were heard in a state of panic when they almost collided with each other over Russian skies. The Chinese cargo jet was flying over Tuva, a mountainous region near Mongolia, in the early hours of July 7 when the pilot of an Air China plane performed an "unexpected manoeuvre" and came within 300ft of the Boeing 767. The Air China Flight - which was bound for Milan - and the SF Airlines cargo plane bound for China should have been at least 1,000ft apart. As the cargo jet coasted at 35,000ft, the Air China pilot mysteriously started increasing altitude, taking the plane from 34,100 to 36,000ft, putting it on a near-collision with the Chinese cargo aircraft. Audio recordings have emerged on social media in China, which captures the frenzied moment the pilots tried to communicate with air traffic control. The close call saw both planes trigger their Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems. The Air China pilot is heard asking control why this had happened. The controller asked: "Are you climbing with instruction or without instruction? Confirm, please." The pilot replied: "No. Thank you." It's currently unknown why the pilot performed the irregular manoeuvre, with him mishearing instructions being one theory offered. He may have picked up instructions given to two other aircrafts, an Air China and Hainan Airlines plane, which were told to maintain altitude. The terrifying moment can be seen in flight tracking data, which shows the two jets on a direct collision course. They were both ordered to veer off in opposing directions, which managed to help avert another mid-air disaster. A separate recording has also emerged of the two Chinese pilots communicating in Mandarin after switching to a different channel. At one point the cargo pilot is heard saying: "I saw your plane climbing. Did [air traffic control] instruct you to? I saw that there was a plane ahead and it was only 20 nautical miles [37km] away and still climbing. Such a crossing altitude is very inappropriate. I guess you also heard me saying 'request traffic information'." It comes after another aviation disaster struck in the UK on Sunday. Four people were killed when a plane crashed into the tarmac before exploding into a "fireball" at Southend Airport. Witnesses reported seeing a huge plume of smoke billowing into the sky after the medical transportation aircraft crashed at 4pm yesterday. The plane had arrived in the UK in the morning and was due to fly on to the Netherlands, where its operator, Zeusch Aviation, is said to be based. One of the victims has been identified as Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, a 31-year-old Chilean nurse who was on her first day working on a private medical jet.
The Independent
15-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Chinese passenger plane narrowly avoids mid-air collision with cargo jet over Siberia
Two Chinese aircraft allegedly came within seconds of colliding over Russian airspace earlier this month after an unauthorised altitude change by an Air China passenger jet led to the dangerous convergence with a cargo plane. Air China Flight CA967, en route from Shanghai to Milan, abruptly climbed from 34,100 to 36,000ft without instruction from Russian air traffic control on 6 July, reported the South China Morning Post. The manoeuvre brought it within roughly 300 to 400ft (90–120m) of SF Airlines Flight CSS128, a Boeing 767 cargo jet flying from Budapest to Ezhou in central China. International aviation safety protocols require a minimum vertical separation of 1,000ft between aircraft at cruising altitude. The near miss occurred above Tuva, a remote mountainous region in southern Siberia bordering Mongolia, and was captured on live tracking data from Flightradar24. The unauthorised ascent triggered onboard alarms known as the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) in both aircraft, prompting emergency evasive action. Audio recordings circulating on Chinese social media since the weekend suggest the Russian controller was simultaneously handling four aircraft and may have issued unclear instructions. The source of the leaked recordings remains unknown and their authenticity could not be independently verified. Air China, SF Airlines and China's civil aviation authority have not issued public comments. The Independent has written to them for comments. In the English-language communication, the controller is heard asking: 'Are you climbing with instruction or without instruction? Confirm, please.' The Air China pilot replies: 'No. Thank you.' It remains unclear why the Air China crew altered altitude but miscommunication of command directed at another aircraft is being considered as a possible reason, reported Belgium outlet The pilot's full response was inaudible due to overlapping radio transmissions. After switching to a private frequency, the two Chinese pilots conversed in Mandarin. The SF Airlines captain expressed concern over the climb, calling it 'very inappropriate' and questioned whether the move had been cleared. The Air China pilot attributed the confusion to a Russian controller who he claimed had made 'a fuss', leaving the crew 'confused.' He admitted they would need to file an official report.
