The Mackay Port Authority is proceeding with plans to install an additional runway lighting safety system that’ll further assist pilots in identifying the Mackay runway in poor weather conditions.

The new threshold identification lights are expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

The MPA Board took the initiative to approve the flashing lighting system, after an incident involving a Qantaslink 717 passenger jet in May.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating claims that the pilot of the passenger jet confused the lights on nearby Broadsound Road with the runway lights at Mackay Airport.

Witnesses say the jet came within 200 metres of landing on the busy road. The 717 aircraft has the capability of carrying 121 passengers and crew.

An air traffic controller at Mackay Airport alerted the pilot about his approach. The pilot successfully aborted the landing and completed an incident-free landing at Mackay Airport about 10 minutes later.

Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Greg Mann said extensive trials already had been completed on the new $35 000 lighting system.

 “Safety is paramount,” he said. “The current runway lighting system meets all Civil Aviation Safety Authority standards and requirement, but we are determined to ensure that a similar thing doesn’t happen again.

Mr Mann said the flashing strobe lights would be installed at the start of all runways in a bid to help pilots distinguish the runway lights from nearby Broadsound Road and the Bruce Highway.

The new safety initiative has the backing of the ATSB.

Meantime, the Mackay Port Authority is still waiting for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to release a report into the May 29 incident.

The ATSB has sent “systems” information and data from the 717 to its counterpart in America – the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

 “We want them to assess this information and get back to us,” ATSB deputy director of air safety investigation, Alan Stray said.
 
“The ATSB is currently working with the NTSB and the aircraft manufacturer Boeing and until we get that information back we won’t be able to finalise our investigation.”

The ATSB hopes the analysis of the data will determine if the aircraft experienced a “systems failure” or the incident was a result of pilot error.

Mr Stray was unable to indicate when a report into the May 29 incident would be released.