Narrative:

I was working ground control and controller in charge combined during this incident. The only other controller in the tower was working local control. Aircraft X; a helicopter; was on an RNAV approach and landing. When aircraft X was 1/2 mile final to the left runway the local controller cleared aircraft Y; a C172 skyhawk; for takeoff from the right runway. The distance between the center-lines is approximately 320 ft. No traffic was given between the two aircraft. No caution wake turbulence/rotor wash from the landing helicopter.aircraft X hovered down the right runway and then made a right turnout just past midfield to hover-taxi to land at the helipads. They hovered at about 50 feet. Meanwhile; aircraft Y had taken the right runway for departure and began his departure roll. Still no traffic calls were exchanged between the aircraft.I asked the local controller 'are you going to say anything?' and pointed at the helicopter. 'Whatever!' the other controller replied. 'They won't hit.' 'that is [expletive deleted] dangerous!' I said as aircraft X was halfway across the grass field between the left runway and the helipads. Hovering at about 50 feet AGL when aircraft Y passed directly over aircraft X about 200 to 300 feet. The other controller was not phased in the least about the situation. No altitude restrictions were given; no separation was ensured even when I brought it to the other controller's attention. It was pure luck that the aircraft Y's climb rate kept it above aircraft X. I believe that if there were a member of management in the tower; things would have been completely different. The local controller would have actually done their job instead of being lazy and not ensuring any kind of separation. This is not the first time situations like this have occurred with this controller in my presence; but this is definitely the most dangerous one!

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Controller in Charge observed a Local Controller depart a Cessna over the top of a hover taxiing helicopter; resulting in an NMAC.

Narrative: I was working Ground Control and CIC combined during this incident. The only other Controller in the Tower was working Local Control. Aircraft X; a helicopter; was on an RNAV approach and landing. When Aircraft X was 1/2 mile final to the left runway the Local Controller cleared Aircraft Y; a C172 Skyhawk; for takeoff from the right runway. The distance between the center-lines is approximately 320 ft. No traffic was given between the two aircraft. No caution wake turbulence/rotor wash from the landing helicopter.Aircraft X hovered down the right runway and then made a right turnout just past midfield to hover-taxi to land at the helipads. They hovered at about 50 feet. Meanwhile; Aircraft Y had taken the right runway for departure and began his departure roll. Still no traffic calls were exchanged between the aircraft.I asked the Local Controller 'Are you going to say anything?' and pointed at the helicopter. 'Whatever!' the other Controller replied. 'They won't hit.' 'That is [expletive deleted] dangerous!' I said as Aircraft X was halfway across the grass field between the left runway and the helipads. Hovering at about 50 feet AGL when Aircraft Y passed directly over Aircraft X about 200 to 300 feet. The other Controller was not phased in the least about the situation. No altitude restrictions were given; no separation was ensured even when I brought it to the other Controller's attention. It was pure luck that the Aircraft Y's climb rate kept it above Aircraft X. I believe that if there were a member of Management in the Tower; things would have been completely different. The Local Controller would have actually done their job instead of being lazy and not ensuring any kind of separation. This is not the first time situations like this have occurred with this Controller in my presence; but this is definitely the most dangerous one!

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.