A conflict event at hou between a departing air carrier and a helicopter was described by both the l...

Attributes
ACN	885565
Time
Date	201004
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	HOU.Airport
State Reference	TX
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Medium Large Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Helicopter
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Route In Use	SID Cougar
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 228 Flight Crew Type 14000
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

Narrative:

I cleared air carrier X for take off on runway 12R. As air carrier X started his takeoff roll; helicopter Y called from the south ramp of the airport; for a northwest (cougar) departure. I anticipated helicopter Y would pass behind the already rolling air carrier X; so I gave helicopter Y no restrictions across the airfield for a northwest departure. Instead; helicopter Y paralleled the departing aircraft southeast bound; then turned right to go to the north and begin his cougar departure. I maintained visual separation between both aircraft the entire time. Air carrier X then made a comment that he had to 'dip' to avoid the helicopter. Air carrier X did not mention anything about a near mid-air on frequency. Later in the day; the FSDO called the tower supervisor to let him know that air carrier X had filed a near mid-air. The tower supervisor pulled the audio tapes and asde-X replay of the event and informed me no separation was lost between air carrier X and the helicopter. Recommendation; I will always restrict helicopters when fixed wing operations are in progress.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A conflict event at HOU between a departing air carrier and a helicopter was described by both the Local Controller and the air carrier Pilot; versions differing but indicating likely confusions regarding the helicopters ATC instructions.

Narrative: I cleared Air Carrier X for take off on Runway 12R. As Air Carrier X started his takeoff roll; Helicopter Y called from the south ramp of the airport; for a northwest (Cougar) Departure. I anticipated Helicopter Y would pass behind the already rolling Air Carrier X; so I gave Helicopter Y no restrictions across the airfield for a northwest departure. Instead; Helicopter Y paralleled the departing aircraft southeast bound; then turned right to go to the north and begin his Cougar Departure. I maintained visual separation between both aircraft the entire time. Air Carrier X then made a comment that he had to 'dip' to avoid the helicopter. Air Carrier X did not mention anything about a near mid-air on frequency. Later in the day; the FSDO called the Tower Supervisor to let him know that Air Carrier X had filed a near mid-air. The Tower Supervisor pulled the audio tapes and ASDE-X replay of the event and informed me no separation was lost between Air Carrier X and the helicopter. Recommendation; I will always restrict helicopters when fixed wing operations are in progress.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

A conflict event at hou between a departing air carrier and a helicopter was described by both the local controller and the air carrier pilot; versions differing but indicating likely confusions regarding the helicopters ATC instructions.