Fatigued Sydney tower controller oversaw Virgin jet cutting in front of Qantas, ATSB finds

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released two preliminary investigations into close-call incidents at Sydney Airport in August. The first incident on 17 August involved Virgin flight VA1589, which had been diverted from Newcastle, taxiing to the domestic terminal. A single tower controller, whose roster indicated a high fatigue risk, instructed the crew to hold short of runway 25 but failed to notice an incomplete read-back, allowing the Virgin jet to move ahead of Qantas flight QF420 at a taxiway crossing, prompting the Qantas crew to brake hard.

The controller was removed from duty for the remainder of the day and later said they felt “fine and alert.” The second incident on 25 August saw the same controller clear a Jetstar A320 for push-back and shortly after cleared a QantasLink Dash 8 to use the same taxiway, resulting in a near-collision that required the A320 to be towed back. ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said crew actions prevented a more serious outcome and that investigations will assess whether staffing or fatigue management contributed to the six incidents under review. Airservices Australia acknowledged the reports and will review findings once investigations conclude.