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FAA Investigates Near Collision in Hawaii

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A near-collision between a Japan Airlines 767 and a UPS MD11 near Honolulu, caused by a rookie controller's error, was averted by onboard TCAS warnings.
  • The incident went unreported by local FAA management and only came to light after the UPS crew filed a report with the NTSB.
  • A veteran air traffic control manager, Bob Rabideau, retired following an FAA probe into his alleged role in suppressing the incident report.
  • The controller responsible for the error had reportedly felt unprepared for certification and requested further training prior to the incident.
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A veteran air traffic control manager has retired in the wake of an FAA probe into an unreported error that triggered a near collision between a Japan Airlines 767 and a UPS MD11 in January.

The two aircraft were approximately 15 miles out on approach to land at Honolulu International Airport when a rookie controller put them on a collision course, one that was averted thanks to TCAS warnings issued in both cockpits. At one point during the incident, the aircraft, flying with no altitude separation, came within 1.5 miles of each other.

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