Near Collision between Netjets Citation X and Lear 60 Near LAS

[johnsonrod]

Found this on AIN Online. Thank Goodness for technology! Not a big surprise that controllers feel they are "overworked" and "understaffed."

My regional does not fly into Vegas - is it really getting that busy? I realize that Allegiant, SWA and AWA/USAirways are busy out of LAS but I didn't realize it was that busy.... Anyone else experience close calls due to traffic volume near Vegas?


TCAS Prevents Potential Bizjet Midair near LAS
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) said two business jets had to take evasive action at 28,000 feet and about 60 miles northeast of Las Vegas on Thursday afternoon to avoid the possibility of colliding while en route to Las Vegas McCarran Airport. The incident involved a NetJets Cessna Citation X and a Learjet 60. According to Natca, air traffic controllers were vectoring the two jets to accommodate delays into Las Vegas due to heavy traffic volume. One of the aircraft had been cleared to descend through the altitude occupied by the other. The aircraft came within 2.6 miles of each other, but each crew took evasive action per instructions from their respective onboard traffic collision avoidance systems. Natca said both aircraft’s speeds were in excess of 400 knots, and they were “being vectored for spacing so their flight paths were converging.” The ATC union attributed the incident to overworked and understaffed controllers, though the FAA contends that the Las Vegas control facility is properly staffed[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif].[/FONT]

 

[On Your Six]

Does not surprise me. Last few times I have been in LAS I couldn't believe the GA traffic in the area. It has increased substantially over the last few years. You definitely need to keep one eye outside of the cockpit. It's always a GAMBLE flying in there now...

 

[gutshotdraw]

I'll take Vegas over Van Nuys on a clear weekend ANY day. Don't get me started on Belmar NJ.

 

[doylehargraves]

Why is this a big deal?? I come within 500 feet of VFR idiots in Florida everytime I fly down there. This isn't news.

 

[theskyking]

Maybe because they weren't VFR and were vectored into close proximity of each other.

 

[On Your Six]

The way the blurb was written it sounds like a scene out of TOP GUN! Watch out Iceman, he's closin' fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[doylehargraves]

The way the blurb was written it sounds like a scene out of TOP GUN! Watch out Iceman, he's closin' fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exactly. 1 mistake in a million and they act like ATC is falling apart at the seams.

 

[Myster79]

Also, this just happened at TEB. I think it was Lear 45 landing 24 and a 604 that was cleared to take off 1. The Lear hadn't landed yet when the 604 was cleared to takeoff. The Lear landed and rolled through the intersection and the 604 rotated just before reaching the intersection. They cleared each other by about 600 feet.

 

[On Your Six]

Also, this just happened at TEB. I think it was Lear 45 landing 24 and a 604 that was cleared to take off 1. The Lear hadn't landed yet when the 604 was cleared to takeoff. The Lear landed and rolled through the intersection and the 604 rotated just before reaching the intersection. They cleared each other by about 600 feet.

Yeah, but that TEB situation was a legit mistake and fully worthy of public knowledge. I am sure the LAS incident was upsetting for those involved but it was highly unusual. TEB has had some issues recently with coordinating inbound/outbound traffic. I recall that P180-SR22 near collision there 6-12 months ago too.