A retired long-time pilot has raised concerns of a potential "catastrophic" incident at Sydney Airport. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
A retired commercial airlines pilot and aviation safety investigator says there could be "catastrophic" consequences if Sydney Airport issues are not fixed.<\/p>\n
Three incidents on the runway in as many weeks are being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.<\/p>\n
Airservices Australia CEO Rob Sharp says initial reviews of air traffic procedures have not uncovered systemic issues compromising passenger safety.<\/p>\n
Sydney Airport could face "catastrophic" consequences if safety issues are not addressed, following three incidents in as many weeks, a former pilot and aviation safety investigator says.<\/p>\n
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) revealed last Thursday it was investigating a third mishap, this time involving a Qantas flight crossing the path of a departing Virgin Australia aircraft.<\/p>\n
It said at 10am on August 9, Virgin flight VA555 to Perth had its clearance to take-off rescinded by air traffic control soon after it had been given.<\/p>\n
It is understood Qantas flight QF728 began to cross the runway more than 1,200 metres away from the Virgin plane, after also receiving clearance.<\/p>\n
Just three hours earlier, there was a near miss between a Jetstar plane and a Qatar Airways aircraft at the same airport.<\/p>\n
A Jetstar cabin crew worker was injured when the A320 plane had to brake suddenly to avoid colliding with a Boeing 777 under tow.<\/p>\n
Two weeks prior, on July 27, a Qantas Link flight and a Qantas plane were involved in a near-miss on the tarmac.<\/p>\n
Geoff Klouth has 35 years of experience working with commercial airlines. (Supplied: Geoff Klouth)<\/p>\n
Retired commercial airline pilot and former aviation safety inspector Geoff Klouth said if the safety issues were not rectified "quickly", a worse incident could occur.<\/p>\n
"We've been very fortunate that there haven't been collisions, but it doesn't mean it won't happen in the future," he said.<\/p>\n
"It's only luck preventing the aircraft coming together because the system is not working at present.<\/p>\n