Lax controller described a possible loss of wake turbulence separation between a non-radar identifie...

Narrative:

I was working the helicopter position. Aircraft X called at the coliseum; which is a normal reporting point and requested the harbor route southbound. I gave aircraft X clearance through the los angeles B airspace via the harbor route southbound below 900 ft. I also issued the aircraft a beacon code as required by local directives. I however did not radar identification the aircraft or verify its altitude. I did not do this because it is a known issue that radar coverage to the east low level; especially on the harbor route is poor. I paid little attention to the aircraft that were on final; since this route is procedurally separated from the lax final by crossing altitudes. The local SOP only requires wake turbulence separation between heavy jets and B757 departures and traffic utilizing the shoreline and beach routes. At the moment separation was lost; I was generating and issuing a beacon code to another aircraft; which I cleared into lax B. Aircraft Y flew directly over the helicopter at 1;800 ft; the helicopter was at 900 ft. 1.) the altitude of the harbor route [should] be lowered to 500 ft. 2.) the route [should] be shifted 2 miles east of its current location. 3.) issue crossing restrictions to aircraft on the visual approach to lax.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: LAX Controller described a possible loss of Wake Turbulence separation between a non-RADAR identified helicopter and traffic on final; the reporter providing several suggestions to prevent future occurrences.

Narrative: I was working the helicopter position. Aircraft X called at the Coliseum; which is a normal reporting point and requested the Harbor Route Southbound. I gave Aircraft X clearance through the Los Angeles B airspace via the Harbor Route Southbound below 900 FT. I also issued the aircraft a beacon code as required by local directives. I however did not RADAR ID the aircraft or verify its altitude. I did not do this because it is a known issue that RADAR coverage to the East low level; especially on the Harbor Route is poor. I paid little attention to the aircraft that were on final; since this route is procedurally separated from the LAX final by crossing altitudes. The Local SOP only requires Wake Turbulence separation between heavy jets and B757 departures and traffic utilizing the shoreline and beach routes. At the moment separation was lost; I was generating and issuing a beacon code to another aircraft; which I cleared into LAX B. Aircraft Y flew directly over the helicopter at 1;800 FT; the helicopter was at 900 FT. 1.) The altitude of the Harbor Route [should] be lowered to 500 FT. 2.) The route [should] be shifted 2 miles east of its current location. 3.) Issue crossing restrictions to aircraft on the visual approach to LAX.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1103960
Time
Date	201307
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	LAX.Airport
State Reference	CA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Helicopter
Flight Phase	Cruise
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	B757-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Other / Unknown
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Lax controller described a possible loss of wake turbulence separation between a non-radar identified helicopter and traffic on final; the reporter providing several suggestions to prevent future occurrences.