WestJet "Passenger Perks" - Westjet pilot reports near miss of parachutist over Okanagan

http://www.kelowna.com/2009/08/20/westjet-pilot-reports-near-miss-of-parachutist-over-okanagan-skies/

Pilots of a WestJet flight from Edmonton to Kelowna reported a near miss incident with a parachutist near Vernon last Saturday.

According to the report, a Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-700 had 110 people on board as it prepared its approach to the runway at Kelowna International Airport. Air Traffic Control advised that a Cessna 182 intending to drop parachutists at Vernon, was climbing to 10,500 feet. The Westjet crew advised that they’d pass Vernon at about 8,600 feet.

The Cessna pilot advised that he’d delay the drop until the Westjet had passed. However, when the Westjet Boeing descended through 9,800 feet, the Cessna dropped the parachutists and were now descending. The Cessna descended into the Boeing’s flight path. The Westjet crew had to turn left to avoid a parachutist about three nautical miles ahead, however while maneouvering around the parachutists triggered a TCAS resolution advisory with the Cessna.

From the CADORS
WJA203
Aircraft Category: Aeroplane Country of Registration: CANADA
Make: BOEING Model: 737 7CT
Year Built: 2007 Amateur Built: No
Engine Make: CFM INTERNATIONAL Engine Model: CFM56-7B24
Engine Type: Turbo fan Gear Type:
Phase of Flight: Approach Damage: No Damage
Owner: WESTJET Operator: WESTJET (8893)
Operator Type: Commercial

Flight #:
Aircraft Category: Aeroplane Country of Registration: CANADA
Make: CESSNA Model: 182
Year Built: 1956 Amateur Built: No
Engine Make: TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL Engine Model: O-470-L
Engine Type: Reciprocating Gear Type:
Phase of Flight: Climb Damage: No Damage
Owner: FLANAGAN ENTERPRISES INC Operator: FLANAGAN ENTERPRISES INC. (10566)
Operator Type: Commercial

Date: 2009/08/17
Further Action Required: No
O.P.I.: Commercial & Business Aviation
Narrative: Westjet Boeing B737 flight WJA203, IFR Edmonton to Kelowna was cleared for the RNP RNAV approach Runway16. Flanagan Enterprises (C-FQVL) Cessna C182, VFR Vernon to Vernon was conducting parachute drops over Vernon airport. WJA203 advised he would be over Vernon at 8200 feet on the approach. C-FQVL advised he would not deploy parachutists "while he was there". With WJA203 north of Vernon C-FQVL reported WJA203 in sight and the parachutists away. At 0244z WJA203 advised they were making a left turn to avoid a parachutist. WJA203 cancelled IFR and continued to Kelowna with out further incident.

Date: 2009/08/19
Further Action Required: No
O.P.I.: Aviation Enforcement
Narrative: UPDATE from Commercial & Business Aviation: The Captain of WJA203 advised the flight was cleared for the RNP 16 in Kelowna and descending through 14000' ASL, the crew were advised of a paradrop aircraft climbing to 10,500' ASL for a parachute drop over Vernon. The crew notified the paradrop aircraft that their altitude above Vernon on their current descent path would be around 8600' ASL. The paradrop aircraft acknowledged the transmission and stated they would wait to drop the parachuters. ATC continually advised the paradrop aircraft of Westjet's position and altitude, and the Westjet crew had the traffic on the TCAS. As the Westjet aircraft descended through 9800' ASL, the paradrop aircraft advised that they had dropped the parachuters and were in a descent. The paradrop aircraft descended into the Westjet aircraft's flight path and the Westjet aircraft had to manoeuvre due to a parachuter in front of them at 3 NM. As the Westjet aircraft manoeuvred to avoid the parachuter, a TCAS Resolution Advisory occurred and ATC was advised. The paradrop aircraft's registration was C-FQVL. Change OPI to Aviation Enforcement.

Date: 2009/08/20
Further Action Required: Yes
O.P.I.: Aviation Enforcement
Narrative: UPDATE / Add Info from TSB: A09P0256 - The Westjet Boeing 737-700 aircraft (C-GWJE), operating as WJA203, was on an RNP approach for Runway 16 at Kelowna, after a flight from Edmonton. The crew was passed traffic, a Flanagan Enterprises Cessna 182 (C-FQVL), climbing to 10,500 feet over Vernon to drop parachutists. WJA203 advised they would pass over Vernon at about 8,600 feet. C-FQVL advised they would wait to drop the parachutists until WJA203 was past. As WJA203 descended through 9,800 feet, C-FQVL advised they had dropped the parachutists and were in descent. C-FQVL descended into WJA203's flight path and WJA203 had to maneouvre to avoid a parachutist 3 nm in front. While turning left to avoid the parachutist WJA203 received a TCAS RA.



And then it happened again:
2009/08/20
Further Action Required: Yes
O.P.I.: Commercial & Business Aviation
Narrative: The Flanagan Enterprises Cessna C182 (C-FQVL) paradrop aircraft, VFR Vernon (CYVK) to CYVK, was asked to manoeuvre east of the Vernon Airport and was advised of IFR traffic, Westjet Airlines Flight WJA181 a Boeing B737 from Edmonton inbound to Kelowna. Traffic was passed to both aircraft. C-FQVL was observed approaching the Vernon Airport and was instructed to turn eastbound but there was no response initially. The IFR aircraft on the approach passed over the VFR aircraft with approximately 700’. It was not clear if the IFR aircraft had to level off to avoid the VFR aircraft.

An update to the second incident:

2009/08/21
Further Action Required: Yes
O.P.I.: Commercial & Business Aviation
Narrative: UPDATE / Add Info from TSB: A09P0262 - The Westjet Boeing 737-700 aircraft, operating as WJA181, was on approach for Runway 16 at Kelowna, after a flight from Edmonton. A Flanagan Enterprises Cessna 182 (C-FQVL) was approaching overhead the Vernon Airport to drop parachutists. Traffic was passed to both aircraft and C-FQVL was instructed to turn eastbound but did not respond initially. WJA181 passed over C-FQVL with 700 feet vertical separation and safety was not assured.