Investigation launched into near miss over Pacific

A Virgin Australia Boeing 777 and an Air New Zealand 767 were on a collision course in Fiji air space last month. Photos / Martin Sykes, Getty Images

An investigation has begun into why a Virgin Australia Boeing 777 and an Air New Zealand 767 were on a collision course in Fiji air space last month.

The May 7 incident happened about 4pm, 100 nautical miles out of Nadi.

The Fiji Times said it had been told what could have been a major disaster was avoided when the planes altered course after crew visually sighted oncoming traffic.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAFI) has confirmed the investigation, but would not give details.

"I am not in a position to comment on the specifics but I want to emphasise that we take these reports very seriously," CAAFI chief executive officer Netava Waqa said.

"We have completed the first part and the second part has started where we look at the root causes. We will do all we can to prevent this from happening again."

Amanda Bolger, of Virgin Australia, told the newspaper both aircraft were in Nadi air traffic-controlled air space and were aware each of other. She said neither airline was at fault and the "aircraft altered course to maintain separation".

Air New Zealand's Lara Harrison said that a Virgin Australia flight passed about 10 nautical miles behind an Air New Zealand service operating to Fiji on May 7.

Reports stated the Traffic Collision Avoidance System for both planes had gone off to warn the pilots that traffic was approaching at the level they had both been cleared to fly.

The Air NZ plane was on its way to Nadi, while the Virgin Australia aircraft was Los Angeles-bound.

- NZPA