The mid-air collision of the Uberlingen airliner in Germany in 2002.

 The Tragic 2002 Überlingen Mid-Air Collision: A Full Account

On the night of July 1, 2002, an unimaginable tragedy occurred over the skies of Überlingen, a town located in southern Germany. Two aircraft, a Bashkirian Airlines Tupolev Tu-154M and a DHL Boeing 757-23APF, collided mid-air, resulting in the deaths of all 71 people onboard both planes. 

The incident sent shockwaves through the aviation industry and prompted a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash. In this article, we will provide a detailed account of the events leading up to and following the Überlingen mid-air collision.

Background Information

Flight Details

The Bashkirian Airlines Tupolev Tu-154M was a scheduled international passenger flight operating from Moscow, Russia, to Barcelona, Spain, with a stopover in Germany. On the day of the crash, the flight was carrying 60 passengers and 9 crew members, including 45 children on a school trip.

The DHL Boeing 757-23APF was a cargo plane flying from Bahrain to Brussels, Belgium, with a stopover in Bergamo, Italy. The flight was carrying two crew members, both of whom were American.

Air Traffic Control

The airspace over southern Germany was controlled by the Swiss air traffic control agency, Skyguide, based in Geneva. The agency was responsible for managing air traffic in the area and ensuring the safe separation of aircraft.

Events Leading Up to the Collision

Flight Paths

At approximately 11:30 PM local time, both aircraft were flying in the same airspace near Überlingen. The Bashkirian Airlines flight was flying at an altitude of 36,000 feet, while the DHL cargo plane was flying at 35,000 feet.

The Bashkirian Airlines flight had been instructed to descend to 35,000 feet to avoid a potential collision with another aircraft. The crew had acknowledged the instruction and began the descent.

At the same time, the DHL cargo plane had been instructed to maintain its altitude at 35,000 feet. However, the crew had reported that they were experiencing a technical issue and needed to descend to a lower altitude. The air traffic controller had approved the descent and instructed the crew to descend to 36,000 feet.

Conflicting Instructions

Unknown to the air traffic controller, the two aircraft were on a collision course. The controller was responsible for ensuring that the two planes maintained a safe separation distance, but due to a miscommunication, conflicting instructions were given to both planes.

The air traffic controller instructed the Bashkirian Airlines flight to continue its descent to 35,000 feet, unaware that the DHL cargo plane was also descending to the same altitude. At the same time, the controller instructed the DHL crew to maintain its altitude at 36,000 feet.

The two planes were on a collision course, and neither crew was aware of the other aircraft's presence.

The Collision

At 11:35 PM, the two planes collided at an altitude of 35,000 feet. The impact caused both planes to disintegrate, and wreckage fell to the ground over a large area. All 71 people onboard both planes were killed instantly.

Investigation

Recovery of Wreckage

In the aftermath of the crash, rescue workers and investigators were dispatched to the crash site to search for survivors and collect evidence. The wreckage was scattered over a wide area, making the recovery and identification of remains difficult.

Black Box Analysis

The black boxes from both planes were recovered and analyzed to determine the cause of the crash. The recordings showed that the air traffic controller had given conflicting instructions to both planes, leading to the collision.

Investigation Findings

The investigation found that there were several factors that contributed to the accident, including:

Air Traffic Control Communication: The air traffic controller did not have a clear understanding of the situation and gave conflicting instructions to both planes, leading to the collision.

Technology Limitations: The planes did not have technology that could have alerted the pilots of the impending collision.

Language Barriers: The air traffic controller and the pilots spoke different languages, which contributed to the miscommunication.

Human Error: The air traffic controller failed to maintain proper separation between the planes, and the pilots were not aware of the other plane's presence due to the conflicting instructions.

Changes in Aviation Safety

The Überlingen mid-air collision prompted several changes in aviation safety, including:

Improved Air Traffic Control Communication: Air traffic control procedures were revised to improve communication and prevent miscommunication between controllers and pilots.

Advanced Technology: Planes were equipped with advanced technology, such as Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS), to alert pilots of potential collisions.

Language Proficiency: Pilots and air traffic controllers were required to have a certain level of proficiency in a common language to improve communication.

Human Factors Training: Aviation personnel received training on human factors, including communication, decision making, and teamwork.

Conclusion

The Überlingen mid-air collision was a tragic event that resulted in the loss of 71 lives. The investigation found that miscommunication and human error were significant factors that contributed to the accident. The changes made in aviation safety since the accident have improved communication, technology, and human factors training, making flying safer for everyone.

FAQs

What caused the Überlingen mid-air collision?

The collision was caused by miscommunication and conflicting instructions given to both planes by the air traffic controller.

How many people died in the accident?

All 71 people onboard both planes were killed instantly.

Were there any survivors?

No, there were no survivors.

What changes were made in aviation safety after the accident?

Aviation safety changes included improved communication, advanced technology, language proficiency, and human factors training.

Has there been a mid-air collision since the Überlingen accident?

There have been several mid-air collisions since the Überlingen accident, but the changes made in aviation safety have significantly reduced the number of accidents.