Mishap averted after SpiceJet aircraft comes close to Emirates

plane New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) A mid-air mishap was averted dueto an auto generated warning after a SpiceJet aircraft came inclose proximity of an overflying Emirates plane in the Indianairspace. The incident which occurred on August 11, involvingSpiceJet Hyderabad flight from Chennai (SG 511) and Emirates’Dubai-bound Brisbane flight (EK 433), is currently beinginvestigated by the aviation regulator, DGCA sources said. Earlier this month, a mid-air collision between twoIndiGo planes, carrying over 225 passengers and crew, wasaverted over Dhaka airspace after the pilot of one of theflights steered away his aircraft to a safe distance when theycame perilously close to each other. According to sources, SpiceJet flight SG 511 was clearedfor 34,000 ft and advised to standby to climb further. "However, SG 511 climbed above the permitted levelwithout clearance. It was then asked to maintain 35,000 ft butthe aircraft overshot by a 1,000 ft, a level that EK 433 wasmaintaining," they said. This forced the Emirates flight to climb further andincrease separation, with both the aircraft receiving TCASalert, sources said. TCAS monitors the airspace around an aircraft for otheraircraft equipped with a corresponding active transponder,independent of air-traffic control, and warns pilots of thepresence of other transponder-equipped aircraft which maypresent a threat of mid-air collision (MAC). "Emirates can confirm that flight EK433 Brisbane to Dubaion August 11, whilst in Indian airspace, received indicationsof proximity traffic. The flight crew correctly followed theon board system guidance to remain clear, following which theyreported the occurrence to Air Traffic Control. "At no time were passengers in any danger. The safety ofour passengers and crew as always is our top priority,"Emirates said in a statement. However, according to SpiceJet sources, the ATCinstructed it to climb and maintain 36,000 ft due to trafficat 37,000 level but "while passing flight level 35,000, ATCinstructed the pilot to stop climb. By that time the aircrafthad climbed to 35,400 feet. Our flight descended back to35,000, and during which SpiceJet aircraft got descendresolution advisory." Sources at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation saidthat the incident is being investigated and would soon behanded over to the Airprox Investigation Board (AIB). PTI IASRAM AAR DVAAR