Investigation: Paratroopers dropped in front of Boeing 737

An Australian army investigation found that five paratroopers were dropped out of a plane in front of a Virgin Australia Boeing 737. The incident happened in November 2011, above Richmond Air Base, northwest of Sydney, as the paratroopers were taking part in a training exercise, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported Monday. After dropping an initial group of paratroopers, the army plane was cleared to drop five more. However, the Virgin jetliner had been cleared to fly below the army plane. The last paratrooper to exit the army plane told investigators the Virgin plane passed about 6,561 feet away, just 10 seconds after he had jumped. Pilots of the civilian plane took evasive action after realizing their route took them through the drop zone. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found Airservices Australia air traffic controllers do not have a standard procedure to ensure that civilian aircraft do not interfere with parachute operations at Richmond. In response, Airservices Australia said it changed its local air traffic procedures to ensure safety for all parachute missions throughout Australia.