Latest news with #BeechDuchess
1News
09-05-2025
- General
- 1News
Near mid-air crash between planes sparks calls for change
A near mid-air crash at night between two planes has sparked calls for improvements to visibility measures and pilot communication, a new report outlines. The two aircraft got "dangerously close" to crashing as they made final approaches towards Ardmore Airport, south of Auckland, during a night-time flight in October 2023. The airport, which is about 5 kilometres southeast of Manurewa, is uncontrolled or unattended, meaning it operates without a control tower. In a report released today, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said a twin-engine Beech Duchess flew over a single-engine Cessna 172, missing it by about 20 feet, or 6 metres The Cessna pilot initiated a "go-around" before both aircraft landed safely. "The pilot flying and the instructor on the Beech were unaware of their proximity to the Cessna in the circuit," the report said. The Beech pilot was unaware how close they were to the Cessna because it was hard to see, even though they had the required lighting. Both aircraft also flew different paths on final approach, increasing the risk of one aircraft not seeing the other, the report said. "Contributing to the different vertical profiles flown was that a local altitude restriction for Ardmore Airport was published in their operations manual and not in the Aeronautical Information Publication New Zealand (AIPNZ) available to all pilots," the report said. There were two missed chances where radio calls could have helped the pilots detect the developing risk, TAIC said. Chief investigator of accidents, Naveen Kozhuppakalam said the findings are relevant to every unattended aerodrome in New Zealand. "There are unattended aerodromes all over the country, where pilots rely on aircraft visibility, shared airspace awareness, and good communication to stay safe. When those break down, so does the last line of defence against mid-air collisions," he said. The commission has made two recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority following the incident. These include further guidance on how to make aircraft easier to see at night and taking action to ensure all procedures applied by local aerodrome operators are recorded in the AIPNZ. "The ability to clearly see another aircraft is also a pillar of 'see and avoid' at an unattended aerodrome. This can be difficult at night with aircraft fitted with olderstyle lighting. Aircraft conspicuity at night can be improved by installing modern lighting such as light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting," the report said. TAIC has previously investigated three fatal mid-air collisions at unattended aerodromes since 2008, all involving "breakdowns in radio communication and situational awareness". "This report is essential reading for anyone flying into or managing New Zealand's busiest unattended aerodromes," Kozhuppakalam said. "Night or day, knowing where other aircraft are-and being seen-is non-negotiable."
Scoop
07-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Near-Collision Highlights Safety Lessons For All Busy, Unattended Aerodromes
Press Release – Transport Accident Investigation Commission On 3 October 2023, a twin-engine Beech Duchess passed within 20 feet of a Cessna 172 while both were on final approach at night. The Cessna pilot initiated a go-around to avoid a potential mid-air collision. Both aircraft landed safely. A serious near-collision at Ardmore Airport has prompted the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) to call for improvements to aircraft visibility, communication between pilots, and sharing of critical information about operations at busy unattended aerodromes across New Zealand. TAIC's report, published at 0500 today, is particularly relevant to pilots, aircraft operators, and aerodrome managers. On 3 October 2023, a twin-engine Beech Duchess passed within 20 feet of a Cessna 172 while both were on final approach at night. The Cessna pilot initiated a go-around to avoid a potential mid-air collision. Both aircraft landed safely. The Commission says the pilot of the Beech was unaware how close they were to the Cessna, which was hard to see, despite meeting rules for lighting at night. The two aircraft were following different altitude profiles, one of which was only published in the local operations manual, not in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), on which most pilots rely. And missed radio calls meant a lost opportunity to avoid the close call. TAIC's Chief Investigator of Accidents, Naveen Kozhuppakalam, says the TAIC final report is relevant to every unattended aerodrome in New Zealand. 'There are unattended aerodromes all over the country, where pilots rely on aircraft visibility, shared airspace awareness, and good communication to stay safe. When those break down, so does the last line of defence against mid-air collisions,' said Mr Kozhuppakalam. TAIC has made two formal recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), calling for it to issue guidance on how to make aircraft easier to see at night—particularly using modern lighting like LEDs, and to require that aerodrome procedures are up to date and available to every pilot via the AIP. TAIC has previously investigated three fatal mid-air collisions at unattended aerodromes since 2008, each involving breakdowns in radio communication and situational awareness. This latest incident adds urgency to ongoing efforts by the CAA and aviation community to promote safer flying practices. 'This report is essential reading for anyone flying into or managing New Zealand's busiest unattended aerodromes,' said Mr Kozhuppakalam. 'Night or day, knowing where other aircraft are—and being seen—is non-negotiable.'
Scoop
07-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Near-Collision Highlights Safety Lessons For All Busy, Unattended Aerodromes
A serious near-collision at Ardmore Airport has prompted the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) to call for improvements to aircraft visibility, communication between pilots, and sharing of critical information about operations at busy unattended aerodromes across New Zealand. TAIC's report, published at 0500 today, is particularly relevant to pilots, aircraft operators, and aerodrome managers. On 3 October 2023, a twin-engine Beech Duchess passed within 20 feet of a Cessna 172 while both were on final approach at night. The Cessna pilot initiated a go-around to avoid a potential mid-air collision. Both aircraft landed safely. The Commission says the pilot of the Beech was unaware how close they were to the Cessna, which was hard to see, despite meeting rules for lighting at night. The two aircraft were following different altitude profiles, one of which was only published in the local operations manual, not in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), on which most pilots rely. And missed radio calls meant a lost opportunity to avoid the close call. TAIC's Chief Investigator of Accidents, Naveen Kozhuppakalam, says the TAIC final report is relevant to every unattended aerodrome in New Zealand. 'There are unattended aerodromes all over the country, where pilots rely on aircraft visibility, shared airspace awareness, and good communication to stay safe. When those break down, so does the last line of defence against mid-air collisions,' said Mr Kozhuppakalam. TAIC has made two formal recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), calling for it to issue guidance on how to make aircraft easier to see at night—particularly using modern lighting like LEDs, and to require that aerodrome procedures are up to date and available to every pilot via the AIP. TAIC has previously investigated three fatal mid-air collisions at unattended aerodromes since 2008, each involving breakdowns in radio communication and situational awareness. This latest incident adds urgency to ongoing efforts by the CAA and aviation community to promote safer flying practices. 'This report is essential reading for anyone flying into or managing New Zealand's busiest unattended aerodromes,' said Mr Kozhuppakalam. 'Night or day, knowing where other aircraft are—and being seen—is non-negotiable.'
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Near mid-air crash between planes sparks calls for change
File image. Photo: A near mid-air crash at night between two planes has sparked calls for improvements to visibility measures and pilot communication, a new report outlines. The two aircrafts got "dangerously close" to crashing as they made final approaches towards Ardmore Airport, south of Auckland, during a night-time flight in October 2023. The airport, which is about 5 kilometres southeast of Manurewa, is uncontrolled or unattended, meaning it operates without a control tower. In a report released on Thursday, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said a twin-engine Beech Duchess flew over a single-engine Cessna 172, missing it by about 20 feet, or 6 metres. The Cessna pilot initiated a "go-around" before both aircrafts landed safely. "The pilot flying and the instructor on the Beech were unaware of their proximity to the Cessna in the circuit," the report said. The Beech pilot was unaware how close they were to the Cessna because it was hard to see, even though they had the required lighting. Both aircrafts also flew different paths on final approach, increasing the risk of one aircraft not seeing the other, the report said. "Contributing to the different vertical profiles flown was that a local altitude restriction for Ardmore Airport was published in their operations manual and not in the Aeronautical Information Publication New Zealand (AIPNZ) available to all pilots," the report said. There were two missed chances where radio calls could have helped the pilots detect the developing risk, TAIC said. Chief investigator of accidents, Naveen Kozhuppakalam said the findings are relevant to every unattended aerodrome in New Zealand. "There are unattended aerodromes all over the country, where pilots rely on aircraft visibility, shared airspace awareness, and good communication to stay safe. When those break down, so does the last line of defence against mid-air collisions," he said. The commission has made two recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority following the incident. These include further guidance on how to make aircrafts easier to see at night and taking action to ensure all procedures applied by local aerodrome operators are recorded in the AIPNZ. "The ability to clearly see another aircraft is also a pillar of 'see and avoid' at an unattended aerodrome. This can be difficult at night with aircraft fitted with olderstyle lighting. Aircraft conspicuity at night can be improved by installing modern lighting such as light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting," the report said. TAIC has previously investigated three fatal mid-air collisions at unattended aerodromes since 2008, all involving "breakdowns in radio communication and situational awareness". "This report is essential reading for anyone flying into or managing New Zealand's busiest unattended aerodromes," Kozhuppakalam said. "Night or day, knowing where other aircraft are-and being seen-is non-negotiable."
