Airbus A300-605R, TC-MNV and Boeing Vertol CH-47D Chinook HC2, ZA720, 18 November 2011
Airbus A300-605R, TC-MNV and Boeing Vertol CH-47D Chinook HC2, ZA720
Summary:
The crew of the A300 were cleared to depart from RAF Brize Norton on a Malby Standard Instrument Departure (SID), which required them to climb to FL080. The departure clearance was issued on the ground radio frequency. When the crew changed to the tower frequency a Climb-out Restriction (COR) of 2,200 ft on the airfield QNH was imposed by ATC, to provide vertical separation from a military Chinook helicopter in the holding pattern above the airfield. The COR instruction, which was not standard RT phraseology, was misinterpreted by the A300 crew. The A300 aircraft did not level off at 2,200 ft after departure and climbed through the level of the Chinook. The returns from the two aircraft were seen to merge on the ATC radar display. The A300 crew received a TCAS Resolution Advisory (RA), which they followed.
According to TCAS data from the A300, the minimum lateral separation between the A300 and the Chinook was 0.11 nm and the minimum vertical separation was 496 ft. Two Safety Recommendations are made with the intention of preventing similar incidents in the future.
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