Australian Police Probe Fake Air Traffic Calls Forcing Pilots to Abort

Landings1
By : Ratu Gita Narnina Wiraatmadja
1306406221
Faculty of Law, batch 2013
Police in Australia have launched an investigation after pilots on approach into the
Melbourne area received fake air traffic control communications. The major security breach has
seen a hoaxer interfering with incoming passenger flights at Melbourne Airport, in Tullamarine,
and Avalon Airport, in Avalon, on at least 15 occasions, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said
in a statement. Authorities now believe that the unknown individual has been using a portable
transmitter from nearby airport car parks to target incoming passenger flights, according to CNN
affiliate 7 News
On several occasions, the hoaxer contacted planes making their final approach,
pretending to be from the control tower. The unauthorized radio transmissions would force pilots
to abort landings and perform a "go around" (an emergency maneuver) instead. ABC News, a
local media service, reported one incident where flight data viewed on FlightRadar24 shows the
plane was within 275 feet of the runway at Melbourne Airport before the plane began climbing
again.
Airservices, Australia's air navigation service provider, said that no passenger safety was
compromised on any of the flights as a result of the fake radio calls to pilots. The AFP added that
while incredibly serious, travelers should not be concerned about their safety and security while
visiting the Melbourne area. Australian police have yet to make any arrests but warn that those
responsible for the hoax calls face up to 20 years of imprisonment and urge anyone with
information to come forward.
Analysis

1 http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/08/asia/australia-fake-air-traffic-control/index.html,
November 9th 2016.

Australias authorities should be able to find the hoaxer who sends the fake radio calls to
pilots who tried to land in Australian. Eventhough the Australias air navigation service provider
said that no passenger safety was compromised on any of the flight. The action to find the person
who responsible in sending fake calls to pilot, should be called the best safety measures to
prevent an accident that could happen in the future. According to E. Suherman, activities such as
aviation and air transport has certain risks, which may cause damage to various people, the most
extreme example is an accident that could happen at any time.2
Basically all parties related to aviation activities must comply with the policies and
regulations of aviation safety to prevent accidents.3 Here in my opinion, ICAO and Air Traffic
Controller have an important role in the world of aviation. In order to carry out their duties, Air
Traffic Controller equipped with the latest technology, as well as working procedures in
accordance with international standards to reduce the possibility of errors/faults which may result
in fatal accidents in the world of aviation.4
Based on Convention on International Civil Aviation done at Chicago 1944 article 12
regarding Rules of the Air, stated that each contracting State undertakes to adopt measures to
insure that every aircraft flying over or maneuvering within its territory and that every aircraft
carrying its nationality mark, wherever such aircraft may be, shall comply with the rules and
regulations relating to the flight and maneuver of aircraft there in force. Also contracting state
undertakes to insure the prosecutions of all persons violating the regulations applicable. 5 Article
28 and article 37 of this same convention alos state to provide airports, radio services, and other
air navigation facilities in accordance to standard and practices recommended pursuant to this
2 E. Suherman, Masalah Tanggung Jawab Pada Charter Pesawat Udara dan
Beberapa Masalah Lain Dalam Bidang Penerbangan, (Jakarta : Alumni, 1979), hal.
18.
3 Triyana Sigi Pertiwi, Hikmahanto Juwana dan HadiRahmat Purnama, Keselamatan
Penerbangan Sipil Bagi Bahan dan Barang Berbahaya di Pesawat Udara (Tinjauan
Hukum Terhadap Annex 18 Konvensi Chicago 1944), (Depok: Universitas Indonesia),
hal. 3.
4 Dave Akbarshah Fikarno, Faktor-Faktor Penyebab Rendahnya Keselamatan
penerbangan di Indonesia, (Depok: Universitas Indonesia, 2009), hal. 55.
5 ICAO, Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1944, art. 12.

convention and each contracting parties shall form uniformity in regulations, standards,
procedures and organization in relation to aircraft which such uniformity will facilitate and
improve air navigation.67
Regarded to that Australia has a Crimes Aviation Act 1991, in section 22 stated that A
person who, while on board a Division 3 aircraft, does an act, reckless as to whether the act will
endanger the safety of the aircraft, commits an offence, will face penalty 10 years in prison. 8 and
in the future we hope that the person responsible for these fake calls will be stopped in order to
prevent accidents in aviation.

6 ICAO, art. 28.

7 ICAO, art. 37.
8 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca1991165/s22.html, November
9th 2016.