Air traffic controllers suspended after near-collision

On the afternoon of June 21, a representative of the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) told VietNamNet reporters that a preliminary report from the Southern Air Traffic Management Company on the incident involving flights H1575, H1557 and V244 had been received by Division 1 (Ho Chi Minh City Long-range Control Center). The incident triggered a Short-Term Conflict Alert (STCA).

“After the system sent out a warning signal, air traffic controllers issued instructions to adjust the flight paths of the flights involved. At the same time, the crews also carried out evasive maneuvers to ensure flight safety,” said the VATM representative.

As soon as the incident occurred, the crew on duty reported it. The Southern Air Traffic Management Company temporarily suspended the air traffic controllers in charge and began investigating the incident. The incident was also reported to the relevant authorities in accordance with regulations.

The VATM representative explained that after receiving the information, they immediately set up an investigation team to determine the cause of the incident. The investigation team is currently carrying out its duties at the Southern Air Traffic Management Company and will announce the results once the investigation is completed.

The incident occurred on June 19 at approximately 6:30 a.m. The air traffic controller instructed aircraft H1575, en route from Hanoi to Da Lat, to descend to flight level 300 and then to flight level 340, which the aircraft confirmed.

At around 6:31 a.m., aircraft V244, en route from Ho Chi Minh City to Thanh Hoa, contacted Division 1 and reported that it was maintaining flight level 330. The air traffic controller confirmed the aircraft’s identification and requested it to maintain flight level 330, which the aircraft confirmed.

At 6:34 a.m., the air traffic controller gave H1575 clearance to continue its descent to flight level 240 and the aircraft reconfirmed the instruction.

However, at around 6:35 a.m., a Short-Term Conflict Warning (STCA) alert appeared on the ATM screen. The air traffic controller immediately instructed H1575 to maintain flight level 340 and turn left to avoid a possible collision.

At the same time, the controller instructed V244 to turn right. Fortunately, at around 6:35 a.m., H1575 acknowledged receipt of the earlier order to descend to flight level 240. At around 6:36 a.m., STCA warnings were no longer displayed on the ATM screen, indicating that the conflict had been resolved.

N. Huyen