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A tower and TRACON controller reported an aircraft on a visual approach climbed unexpectedly which put it into confliction with departing traffic.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1490033 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201710 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | TUL.TRACON |
| State Reference | OK |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Light Transport |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Route In Use | Visual Approach |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Aircraft High Wing 1 Eng Fixed Gear |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Approach |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Local |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Clearance |
Narrative:
Aircraft X had been vectored for a visual approach into rvs. I cleared him for the approach 9 southwest of rvs. He was on a 080 vector and level at 2;500 feet when cleared and switched to rvs tower. I had climbed aircraft Y to 3;500 feet to top aircraft X. After just a minute or so I notice aircraft X's altitude indicating 2;700 feet and climbing. I call rvs via the shout line and tell them to get him back down. I didn't turn aircraft Y immediately; anticipating aircraft X to rush back down. I did a projection and it showed 2.92 miles. I turned aircraft Y to the southwest to get diverging courses.the event occurred because aircraft X climbed after being at 2;500 feet and cleared for a visual approach. The pilot when he called; told the supervisor that he was on a visual approach and he can climb. First I ever heard of this; and it would significantly change how we do visual approaches if true. Seems like a pilot just wasn't paying close enough attention and let the aircraft climb; due to his error or maybe the autopilot. He then tried to make an excuse for his mistake. The pilot had been given 2;500 feet; acknowledged and verified it; and had descended to that altitude prior to the clearance. Remind the pilot of the rules and that should suffice. If the pilot is correct that he can climb on a visual approach clearance; the agency needs to brief all controllers as soon as possible on this.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A Tower and TRACON Controller reported an aircraft on a visual approach climbed unexpectedly which put it into confliction with departing traffic.
Narrative: Aircraft X had been vectored for a visual approach into RVS. I cleared him for the Approach 9 southwest of RVS. He was on a 080 vector and level at 2;500 feet when cleared and switched to RVS Tower. I had climbed Aircraft Y to 3;500 feet to top Aircraft X. After just a minute or so I notice Aircraft X's altitude indicating 2;700 feet and climbing. I call RVS via the shout line and tell them to get him back down. I didn't turn Aircraft Y immediately; anticipating Aircraft X to rush back down. I did a projection and it showed 2.92 miles. I turned Aircraft Y to the southwest to get diverging courses.The event occurred because Aircraft X climbed after being at 2;500 feet and cleared for a visual approach. The pilot when he called; told the Supervisor that he was on a visual approach and he can climb. First I ever heard of this; and it would significantly change how we do visual approaches if true. Seems like a pilot just wasn't paying close enough attention and let the aircraft climb; due to his error or maybe the autopilot. He then tried to make an excuse for his mistake. The pilot had been given 2;500 feet; acknowledged and verified it; and had descended to that altitude prior to the clearance. Remind the pilot of the rules and that should suffice. If the pilot is correct that he can climb on a Visual Approach clearance; the agency needs to brief all Controllers as soon as possible on this.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.