Near miss between civilian aircraft and RAAF warplanes under investigation

A near miss between a small civilian plane and two military aircraft over an RAAF base in northern Australia has triggered an investigation.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is examining last month’s incident when a Piper Aircraft PA-28 suffered a complete electrical failure and was diverted to RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.

“On final approach to land, the PA-28 came into close proximity with two military aircraft on approach to the same runway,” the ATSB said.

RAAF fighter jets at the Tindal air base in the NT. (Department of Defence)

ATSB officials categorised it as a serious incident and have begun interviewing witnesses, examining maintenance records and collecting other relevant information.

The probe is scheduled to finish early next year.

“A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.”

The light aircraft, which had taken off from Daly Waters in the NT, is listed as registered to aircraft operator Ground to Air Services by the ATSB.

The military planes involved in the near miss were F-35A Lightning II fighters, according to reports in The Australian.