Still insufficient measures to prevent near-collisions

Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) has not yet taken sufficient measures to prevent arriving and departing aircraft operating under visual flight rules (VFR flights) from crossing paths at the same altitude.

This conclusion is stated in the follow-up memorandum by the Dutch Safety Board regarding the investigation into a near-collision between two aircraft in the local controlled airspace near Rotterdam The Hague Airport (CTR). In a follow-up memo, the Board assesses the responses of involved parties to the four recommendations made in the investigation report.

The Board acknowledges that LVNL has announced measures to prevent published VFR routes for arriving and departing VFR flights from intersecting at the same altitude. However, the Board finds it unclear what is meant by ‘short term.’ At present, the measures have not yet been implemented. Furthermore, it remains unclear to what extent LVNL is improving the fulfillment of its responsibility to prevent collisions between VFR traffic in controlled airspace. Too much of this responsibility is still placed on VFR pilots.

Incident summary

On 15 June 2022, two aircraft were flying in the area controlled by local air traffic control at Rotterdam The Hague Airport. One aircraft was approaching the airport to land on runway 06, while the other had just taken off from runway 06 and was departing the area. Both aircraft were following procedures and air traffic control instructions. At an altitude of 1.500 feet, their flight paths crossed, creating an acute risk of collision. Just before both aircraft were about to pass the intersection at nearly the same time, one of them executed an evasive manoeuvre. The pilot thereby managed to avoid a possible collision.

View the investigationpage ‘Near mid-air collision in the Rotterdam Control Zone‘