A Skytrans de Havilland Canada Dash 8 and a two-seat Aeroprakt A22LS came within about 500 metres of colliding near Townsville, Queensland, on 1 October. The aircraft were approximately 18 kilometres west of Townsville Airport and communicating with the Townsville approach controller when they converged. The Dash 8 descended to avoid the Aeroprakt, prompting the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to classify the occurrence as a serious incident.
The Dash 8 was operating Skytrans flight 710 from Kidston to Townsville and had been cleared for a visual approach to runway 07. The Aeroprakt was conducting a training flight west of the airport and had been instructed to remain outside controlled airspace. The approach controller provided traffic information and advised the light-aircraft pilot to sight and follow the Dash 8.
The aircraft were not identified visually until they were approximately one kilometre apart, at the same altitude and on converging flight paths. Their separation then reduced to about 0.3 nautical miles before the Dash 8 crew descended following a traffic collision avoidance system resolution advisory.
The ATSB is collecting recorded data and interviewing the involved parties. The investigation remains active, and its available findings do not establish the cause, assign responsibility or indicate damage to either aircraft.