Swiss Reports on Near Collision between Algerian, Kazakh Planes

An Algerian military plane and a Kazakh passenger plane came so close to each other last week that warning systems sounded an alert, but there was no collision, the Swiss air traffic control company Skyguide said Monday.

The two planes came to within 740 meters (2,400 feet) of each other on Feb. 8 while flying over Lake Annecy, south of Geneva, according to a statement from the Swiss Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

The Tupolev, owned by Kazakhstan's state company Berkut, had taken off from Grenoble, southeast France, and was cleared to climb to 7,924 meters (26,000 feet), while the Algerian Hercules transport was flying at 7,620 meters (25,000 feet) toward nearby Lyon, France.

Skyguide spokeswoman Rosemarie Rotzetter said a student controller under supervision had given the Tupolev clearance to ascend. She said the air traffic control team on duty was immediately replaced after the incident, which was being investigated.

Skyguide supervises air traffic over Switzerland and adjacent parts of other countries.

The Algerian plane was flying from the Czech Republic to Algeria, and the Kazakh plane was flying to Almaty, Kazakhstan.

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