UK: Air traffic control blamed for near-miss over Wiltshire
Two commercial aircraft came within seconds of a mid-air collision because of an air traffic control mix-up, according to reports.
Most of today’s newspapers carry the story of how the two jets – a Virgin Atlantic jumbo and a Delta Airlines Boeing 767 – nearly collided over Wiltshire last November. A passenger who was aboard the Virgin plane broke her ankle when the pilot took evasive action, and industry analysts now say national air traffic services (Nats) could be faced with a compensation claim.
Details of the incident were leaked to Computer Weekly, which reported that the problem arose because an operator misread a screen; Nats has already launched an investigation. Virgin admitted a passenger had been injured; a spokesman told The Guardian: “As a result of the pilot’s action out passenger fell over and broke her leg.”
Prospect, the air traffic controllers’ union, confirmed Nats could be facing legal action – either from the injured passenger or from Virgin Atlantic.
