Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said it has established an inspection team to look into an incident last month when a Vietnam Airlines plane and another of the Jetstar Pacific were flying in risk of crash due to violation of minimum airborne distance.

The risk of crash was safely removed thanks to the traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) installed on both planes, according to CAAV deputy head Dinh Viet Thang.

On December 19, 2011, the Vietnam Airlines craft left Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport for Cat Bi Airport in the northern Hai Phong City and was required by the air traffic control to fly up from the altitude level of 270 to 350.

Just 12 miles southwest of Buon Ma Thuot, the plane, which was at level 314, was urged to quickly up to 330.

In the meantime, the automatic system TCAS signals warning risk of the presence of another plane ahead and recommends the crew to lower to the altitude level 313.

Pilot followed the TCAS recommendation when the craft of the opposite direction -- a Boeing B737-400 of the Jetstar Pacific -- was just 10 miles away.

At the time, the Jetstar Pacific jet, which was at the level 320, was asked by the air traffic control to turn left to avoid the Vietnam Airlines plane.

The TCAS system on the Boeing craft urged pilot to up altitude from 320 to 325.

CAAV made initial conclusion that the two airborne planes were not given a minimum distance of safety due to management skill of the local air traffic controller.

Source: Tuoi tre