Collision fears forces passenger plane to take action

A passenger plane approaching Kirkwall Airport last August took evasive action due to fears it might collide with another aircraft.

According to a report published by the Airprox Board, the pilot of the Saab 340, inbound from Edinburgh on August 29, 2014, saw a Piper PA31 which appeared to be 1,000 ft beneath them.

The report states: “The SF34 crew decided to take action and reduced their vertical speed to 400ft/min because they considered there was a risk of collision.”

Commending the Saab crew for their actions, the board agreed that although the PA31 pilot reported he had the Saab in sight at all times, there had been a potential conflict in flight paths that had been resolved by Saab crew ensuring that plenty of separation was maintained.