Incident
at 5 NM N of Lethbridge, AB
(TCAS alert)
At 2028Z, the crew of ABK 904, a BAe 32, contacted Lethbridge FSS for the airport advisory and an IFR clearance to Calgary. The advisory and clearance were delivered to ABK 904 at 2030Z, along with the restriction that they were not to depart until C-FBCL, a Lear 45 inbound from Calgary, cancelled IFR or was down. At 2031Z, the crew of C-FBCL reported 20 NM northwest of Lethbridge, estimating 10 minutes. ABK 904 asked if the traffic was inbound from the north and was advised the traffic was from Calgary, 20 miles out, still IFR and had been requested to call left base for Runway 05 or at the Lethbridge NDB with intentions. ABK 904 then requested a VFR departure, which was approved by ATC. At 2034Z, FSS requested a position report from C-FBCL and there was a delay in their response before the crew advised they were just by the GADAG fix. FSS requested they report the beacon inbound and this was passed to ABK 904 as they were rolling for departure on Runway 23, with a right turn after takeoff. The crew of C-FBCL acknowledged the traffic. FSS confirmed that ABK 904 was airborne and at 2035Z they reported in the right turn, climbing through 3,800 feet ASL. At 2036Z, at an altitude between 3,500 and 4,000 feet, the crew of C-FBCL reported taking evasive action as a result of a TCAS alert. The crew also reported having visual contact with ABK 904, which was about 1/2 mile in front of them. C-FBCL landed without further incident on Runway 23. Weather at the time was 3 miles visibility in light snow, 4,000 feet broken cloud. OPI - System Safety