The incident aircraft. File photo from 2019 (c) Tim Hillier (all rights reserved)
Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXJ and drone, air proximity incident over South Auckland, 7 NM east of Auckland International Airport, 2 April 2024
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
What happened
In the early evening of 2 April 2024, the crew of an Air New Zealand Airbus A320 reported seeing what they described as a drone while at 2000 feet on the final approach for runway 23L at Auckland.
As a result of the drone sighting, and for the safety of other aircraft, Air Traffic Control closed that portion of the Auckland airspace for 15 minutes, resulting in delays to other inbound aircraft.
Why it happened
The use of a drone in controlled airspace and at the altitude reported is contrary to Civil Aviation Rules and, as reflected in this and other reported incidents, such use poses a risk to aviation safety. There was no universal and reliable physical or electronic restriction to stop a drone flying in controlled airspace, so the system was reliant on drone operators knowing and following the rules.
However, some drone operators either do not know the rules, or are willing to disregard the rules because consequences for non-compliance seldom occur. In this incident, as in many other reported incidents involving drones, it was not possible to identify the drone or its user.
What we can learn
Until adequate controls are placed on the use of drones, other aircraft, including passenger-carrying aircraft, continue to be at risk of disruption and collision.
Information and other tools are available to assist operators to operate their drones safely and comply with the Civil Aviation Rules.
Who may benefit
Drone owners, operators and pilots, manned aviation pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, aerodrome owners, operators and users, local councils, regulators and legislators may benefit from the findings and recommendations in this report.
In the early evening of 2 April 2024, the crew of an Air New Zealand Airbus A320 reported seeing what they described as a drone while at 2000 feet on the final approach for runway 23L at Auckland.
As a result of the drone sighting, and for the safety of other aircraft, Air Traffic Control closed that portion of the Auckland airspace for 15 minutes, resulting in delays to other inbound aircraft.
Why it happened
The use of a drone in controlled airspace and at the altitude reported is contrary to Civil Aviation Rules and, as reflected in this and other reported incidents, such use poses a risk to aviation safety. There was no universal and reliable physical or electronic restriction to stop a drone flying in controlled airspace, so the system was reliant on drone operators knowing and following the rules.
However, some drone operators either do not know the rules, or are willing to disregard the rules because consequences for non-compliance seldom occur. In this incident, as in many other reported incidents involving drones, it was not possible to identify the drone or its user.
What we can learn
Until adequate controls are placed on the use of drones, other aircraft, including passenger-carrying aircraft, continue to be at risk of disruption and collision.
Information and other tools are available to assist operators to operate their drones safely and comply with the Civil Aviation Rules.
Who may benefit
Drone owners, operators and pilots, manned aviation pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, aerodrome owners, operators and users, local councils, regulators and legislators may benefit from the findings and recommendations in this report.