To pass 10 miles apart, they must have each rolled into a 45 degree bank during their evasive maneuver. Walter DCA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven Catron" <stepan-ilych@multipro.com> To: <AIRLINE@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU> > SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Two Qantas jumbo jets carrying nearly 800 people > came close to colliding over a remote section of the Pacific Ocean earlier > this month, the Australian airline has revealed. > > A Qantas spokeswoman said the two Boeing 747-400s traveling on the > Auckland, New Zealand-Los Angeles route had been flying at the same > altitude. > > "Two Qantas aircraft under the direction of Tahiti air traffic control > were traveling at the same altitude on the 1st of February," the > spokeswoman said on the customary condition of anonymity. > > The Sydney Morning Herald reported Saturday that the jets were only about > a minute apart when their collision avoidance systems were activated, with > one rising and one dipping in a coordinated response. > > The spokeswoman said the crew took the appropriate steps under the > circumstances. > > "The captains of the respective aircraft took necessary action and advised > Tahiti air traffic control," she said. > > "Neither of the Qantas aircraft, which are fitted with anti-collision > software, came within 17 kilometers [about 10 miles] or the minimum > separation of 1,000 feet of each other." > > She could not confirm reports that an air traffic controller in Tahiti had > been suspended because of the incident. > > Jets flying from Los Angeles usually cruise at an even altitude -- either > 32,000 feet (9,754 meters) or 34,000 feet (10,363 meters) -- to avoid > oncoming aircraft > > http://www.cnn.com/2002/TRAVEL/NEWS/02/15/qantas.jumbos.ap/index.html