Airprox Incident Boeing 777-3DZER A7-BAH, Friday 6 May 2022

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Date:	Friday 6 May 2022
Time:	20:22 UTC
Type:	Boeing 777-3DZER
Owner/operator:	Qatar Airways
Registration:	A7-BAH
MSN:	37662/849
Year of manufacture:	2010
Total airframe hrs:	62022 hours
Cycles:	9452 flights
Engine model:	General Electric GE90-115B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	None
Category:	Incident
Location:	Colombo FIR - Indian Ocean
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport:	Perth Airport, WA (PER/YPPH)
Destination airport:	Doha-Hamad International Airport (DOH/OTHH)
Investigating agency:	CAASL
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
When passing position ELATI on route N640 (westbound) within Colombo Oceanic Control Sector, a request was made by Qatar Airways flight QTR54C (A7-BAC), which was maintaining FL300, to climb FL340. This level request was granted and the aircraft was cleared to climb to FL340, through the level of another Qatar Airways flight QTR34U (A7-BAH) at FL320. The clearance for level change for QTR54C was given when there was less than the required standard separation between both aircraft. The level change to QTR54C was executed with QTR34U at FL320 and in the absence of standard separation between aircraft. Soon after realizing the incorrect climb instructions, messages of “disregard”, “maintain FL300” and “confirm maintaining flight level 300” were sent to QTR34U and not to QTR54C. By that time QTR34U had also requested to climb FL340. QTR34U had responded and confirmed that they were maintaining FL320 shortly after.

Probable Causes: Failure to observe fundamental procedures in ATC which is to scrutinize prevailing traffic conditions prior to authorizing level changes. The two ATC controllers on duty at the oceanic control sector not having clearly defined responsibilities. Fatigue causation due to long duty period.

Accident investigation: