Incident: Qantas A332 and Qantas A332 near Adelaide on Sep 20th 2013, loss of separation
A Qantas Airbus A330-200, registration VH-EBS performing flight QF-576 from Perth,WA to Sydney,NS (Australia), was enroute at FL390 eastbound about to reach a point of about 10nm west of Adelaide Airport,SA (Australia).
A Qantas Airbus A330-200, registration VH-EBO performing flight QF-581 from Sydney,NS to Perth,WA (Australia), was enroute at FL380 westbound and about to reach a point 10nm west of Adelaide Airport,SA, when air traffic control cleared the flight to climb to FL400. ATC soon recognized the error, cancelled the clearance and instructed QF-581 to descend back to FL380. The aircraft had reached about FL383 in the meantime and descended back to FL380.
QF-576 received a TCAS resolution advisory to climb and reached at least FL392 before returning to FL390.
After being clear of conflict VH-EBO was cleared to FL400 again. Both aircraft reached their destinations for safe landings.
The Australian TSB opened an investigation into the occurrence rated a loss of separation reporting VH-EBS received a TCAS resolution advisory. The ATSB have not yet stated a remaining minimum separation. The ATSB rated the occurrence a serious incident and opened an investigation estimated to conclude in September 2014.
Radar data suggest minimum separation reduced to 700 feet vertical and 5.6nm lateral at 02:13:55Z.
The Aviation Herald