Two aircraft came perilously close to collision during a horrifying mid-air incident in the skies above Perthshire.
The microlight and small aeroplane were just 10 feet away from tragedy as both pilots tried to land at the same time.
It was only thanks to the quick-thinking actions of the microlight pilot and air/ground operator that disaster was averted.
A report released this week by the UK Airprox Board praised both men, saying they prevented an “even more serious occurrence”.
The drama unfolded on the afternoon of November 1 at Perth Airport during a routine training procedure.
The pilot of the Cessna 152 lost sight of the SkyRanger microlight and misunderstood instructions from the ground, believing he was clear to land.
He later told the Airprox Board that he recalled seeing the smaller aircraft, but wasn’t aware of its proximity and did not believe there was any risk of a crash.
The board concluded that the pilot may have been confused by Perth Airfield’s elevation of 400ft and not figured this into his calculations.
Statements from the air/ground operator and microlight pilot, however, revealed why an official investigation rated the near miss as category A the highest risk of collision.
The man in the control tower told how he could only watch in horror as the Cessna pilot carried out a “late go around” and several “non-standard joining attempts”, which took took him to the same level as the microlight.
In a bid to prevent a collision, the quick-thinking air/ground operator frantically told the SkyRanger pilot to stop climbing.
The report stated: “He immediately levelled off at about 80ft and looked up in time to see the C152 ‘peeling up and to the right’ on to the live side of the cct, from a position directly above him.
“The air/ground operator told him afterwards that he assessed they were about 10ft apart at one point; it was only then he realised ‘what a close thing’ this had been.
“The microlight pilot displayed commendable presence of mind in following the air/ground operator’s instructions to stop climbing,” the report continued. The air/ground operator acted outwith his responsibilities and authority and, in doing so, prevented an even more serious occurrence, actions for which he is highly commended by the Board.”