Australian Transport Safety Bureau launches investigation into serious near-collision of aircraft during fire

A multi-agency investigation has begun into a serious incident involving a near collision between two aircraft during aerial firefighting operations in the Great Southern late last year. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau, alongside the departments of Fire and Emergency Services and Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, are investigating the incident that occurred on December 16. The two aircraft, a small GippAero GA8 and a bigger Lockheed Martin C-130 air tanker, are reported to have narrowly avoided a mid-air collision about 125km north north-west of Albany Regional Airport, according to a summary of the pending investigation. The bigger tanker reportedly came into “close proximity” of the small plane on a reciprocal track — meaning they were travelling in almost opposite directions — before the crew of the smaller aircraft received a traffic alert. The small GippAero GA8 managed to manoeuvre away and avoid a collision. The Lockheed C-130 is operated by Coulson Aviation, who specialise in firefighting aircraft, and was departing from Busselton. Helicopter Logistics Pty Ltd operate the GippAero GA8, which had left from Albany Regional Airport. The incident occurred as the devastating fire in Mindarabin continued to burn about 130km north-east of Albany, and the same day 34-year-old volunteer firefighter Jaxon Peakall died while helping fight it. Flight crew and air attack supervisors have been interviewed, aviation surveillance data has been examined with procedures and training materials collected as part of the investigation. A final report will be issued once the investigation is complete.