In a heart-stopping incident that has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, two passenger aircraft came within a hair's breadth of disaster over UK airspace, with investigators revealing the jets were just five seconds from catastrophic mid-air collision.
A Terrifyingly Close Call
The near-disaster unfolded when an Italian-operated Airbus A320, carrying holidaymakers, and another commercial jet found themselves on a collision course. Air traffic controllers at Swanwick Centre, responsible for managing some of Europe's busiest airspace, initially failed to recognise the severity of the situation.
Shockingly, the danger only became apparent when the aircraft's onboard collision avoidance systems triggered emergency manoeuvres. The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) aboard both planes issued urgent climb and descent commands to pilots, who responded immediately despite conflicting instructions from air traffic control.
Controller Confusion and Critical Moments
Recordings from the incident reveal moments of confusion in the control room, with one controller heard berating the Italian pilot: "I need to know why you're descending!". The pilot responded with understandable frustration, having followed the automated safety system's commands to prevent disaster.
According to the official Airprox Board report, the aircraft missed each other by a mere 0.15 of a nautical mile vertically and 2.8 nautical miles horizontally - distances considered dangerously close in aviation terms.
Safety Systems Avert Tragedy
Aviation experts have emphasised that this incident highlights both the critical importance of modern safety systems and concerning gaps in air traffic control procedures.
Key safety measures that prevented disaster:
- Automated TCAS providing last-minute avoidance commands
- Pilot training emphasising immediate response to collision alerts
- Multiple redundancy systems in modern aircraft
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has launched a full investigation into the incident, focusing on controller training and emergency response protocols. This near-miss serves as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required to maintain safety in increasingly crowded skies.
