Probe for Coventry Airport near miss
24.03.06
The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating why an airline pilot had to take evasive action to avoid hitting a glider flying above Lutterworth.
The incident happened when a B737 pilot, who was undergoing training, was flying into Coventry airport at 2,000ft.
After picking the glider up on his radar he was advised to turn left to avoid 'direct conflict with the traffic', which was less than a mile away.
It is not known if the glider pilot had been taking part in the international competition being held at Husbands Bosworth airfield at the same time.
The CAA report classes the incident as having been fairly low risk.
But the news comes at a time when plans to expand the Coventry terminal, to take another two-million passengers a year, are the subject of a public inquiry.
Airport spokesman Sue Lindsay could not say how many more flights would go over the town if the expansion goes ahead, but confirmed planes would continue to fly at 1,800ft, along the current flight path.
Coventry airport is over 60 years old and therefore exempt from legislation.
Warwick District Council is attempting to enforce control and a public inquiry is currently being held.
The inquiry, which began over a year ago, is one of the longest in history ever to be held.
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