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Near Miss: Brussels Airlines and HOP! Airlines Almost Collide in Paris
On October 26, 2023, a near miss incident occurred at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) involving a Brussels Airlines Airbus A320 and a HOP! Embraer 170. The incident, which thankfully did not result in a collision, has sparked a serious investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event and raised concerns about safety protocols in air travel.
The Incident
The Brussels Airlines flight, operating as flight SN2594, was preparing to land on runway 27L at CDG. Simultaneously, the HOP! flight, operating as flight AF7218, was taking off from the same runway. Due to a combination of factors, including wind shear and a lack of communication between the pilots and air traffic control, the two aircraft came dangerously close to colliding.
Wind shear, a sudden change in wind speed and direction, can significantly impact aircraft control, making it difficult for pilots to maintain their intended flight path. In this case, the wind shear is believed to have disrupted the Brussels Airlines flight’s approach, causing it to deviate from its planned landing trajectory.
Moreover, there appears to have been a breakdown in communication between the pilots and air traffic control. Initial reports suggest that air traffic control was not immediately aware of the developing situation, leading to a delay in issuing instructions to the pilots to avoid a collision.
Investigation and Safety Implications
The French Bureau of Enquiry for Air Safety (BEA) has launched a full investigation into the incident. The BEA will examine the flight data recorders (black boxes) from both aircraft, interview the pilots, and analyze the air traffic control recordings to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the near miss. The investigation will also focus on identifying any potential contributing factors, including weather conditions, pilot training, and air traffic control procedures.
This incident underscores the critical importance of safety protocols and communication in aviation. It highlights the need for robust procedures to address wind shear and ensure clear communication between pilots and air traffic control. The BEA’s investigation will likely result in recommendations for improvements to safety procedures and training to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Lessons Learned
The near miss at CDG serves as a reminder of the inherent risks involved in air travel and the importance of constant vigilance and adherence to safety protocols. The incident underscores the following key lessons:
- Wind Shear Awareness: Pilots must be highly aware of wind shear conditions and trained to respond effectively to these potentially dangerous situations.
- Clear Communication: Clear and timely communication between pilots and air traffic control is essential to ensure safe operations.
- Safety Procedures: Robust safety procedures, including those related to wind shear, are crucial to minimizing risks in aviation.
- Continuous Improvement: The aviation industry must continuously strive to improve safety protocols and training based on lessons learned from incidents like this.
The outcome of the BEA’s investigation will be closely watched by the aviation community. The findings will likely lead to changes in safety procedures and training to further enhance aviation safety.