February 2018, PIA ATR 42 and PAF F-16s Formation TCAS RA Final Investigation Report

[Abbas Ali]

Final investigation report uploaded on July 21, 2023, on http://aviation.gov.pk/

On 15th February, 2018, Pakistan International Airline (PIA) flight PIA 585, ATR 42-500 aircraft, Reg. No. AP-BHP was a scheduled passenger flight from
Dera Ghazi Khan Airport to Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi. PIA 585 reported Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System – Resolution Advisory (TCAS – RA) while maintaining Flight Level (FL) 100, Military Traffic, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) TIGER-1 3 x Lockheed Martin F-16, operating from PAF Base Bholari to PAF Base Bholari and returning from Masroor Training Area via QILLA maintaining FL80, was the crossing traffic. At the time of TCAS – RA vertical separation of 2,000 feet (ft) existed. Traffic information was passed well before time by Approach. All available evidences were analyzed
by AAIB Pakistan.

Causes / Contributing Factors

3.2.1. Probably PIA 585 received TCAS – RA and climb FL102 due to abrupt attitude change of military aircraft for few seconds. As military aircraft were
maintaining high speed and their heading showed towards PIA 585, PIA 585 might have received TCAS – RA, Mid Air Collision (MAC).

Complete report here: http://aviation.gov.pk/SiteImage/Misc/f ... IA-585.pdf