News
19 June, 2025
Fatality forces airfield changes
A FATAL midair collision over Caboolture Airfield in July 2023 has prompted aviation authorities to revise guidance for pilots at non-controlled aerodromes, highlighting the dangers of simultaneous operations on intersecting runways.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s (ATSB) final report into the crash, released Monday, outlines how a Piper Pawnee tug aircraft and a Jabiru J430 collided just 130 feet above runway 06 after both took off or landed unaware of each other’s presence.
Caboolture, north of Brisbane, has two intersecting runways but no control tower.
Aircraft separation relies on pilots seeing one another and maintaining radio communication – a system known as “alerted see-and-avoid.”
On the morning of July 28, a student pilot taxiing a Cessna 172 inadvertently crossed runway 06, forcing the Pawnee pilot – who had been returning from a glider tow – to perform a go-around.
At the same time, a Jabiru carrying two people began take-off from the intersecting runway 11.
Despite the Pawnee pilot’s broadcast announcing the go-around, the Jabiru appeared unaware of its presence and climbed directly into its path.
The two aircraft collided just beyond the runway intersection.
The Jabiru’s right wing was sheared off, sending it into an unrecoverable roll.
Both occupants were killed.
The Pawnee, though damaged, was able to land safely.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the Jabiru likely failed to transmit or receive radio calls.
Most witnesses did not recall hearing any communication from the aircraft.
A stand of trees also blocked line of sight between the intersecting runways, contributing to the pilots’ mutual unawareness.
The report found that while both pilots were experienced and familiar with the airfield, the aerodrome operator had not adequately informed users about the risks posed by visual obstructions and simultaneous operations.
Following the incident, Caboolture Airfield banned concurrent runway use and mandated take-off calls.
The report also highlighted confusion in Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) guidelines, particularly the use of the term “active runway.”
CASA has since committed to removing the term and revising guidance to better align with regulations and pilot practice.
“This tragic accident shows that relying solely on see-and-avoid in non-controlled environments has limits,” Mitchell said.
