Narrative:

Approach control attempted to point out VFR helicopter to local control. I took radar on the helicopter due to a number of south bound departures and to make sure of his track/route of flight. The helicopter was a low level that required assistance to eyeball in order to maintain visual with him reference any departures. His route was planned to go approximately 5 NM southeast of the field. He was flashed and eventually handed off to local control east once the helicopter was southeast bound on the runway. A B737 was instructed to 'line up and wait' while an aircraft with a void time departed off of runway 27. The B737 was a southbound and expected to fly the RNAV departure. I was reluctant to launch the B737 jet unless I was able to physically see the helicopter in order to provide visual. Also; the helicopters tag had dropped approximately 3 NM south of cvg. Again; I wanted to make sure of the helicopter's position prior to clearing the B737 for takeoff. Once in sight; I cleared the B737 for takeoff. Right after that; I noticed that a CRJ700 was on short final. Just as I went to issue the go around; the CRJ700 asked if they should go around. I responded; 'CRJ700; go around; fly runway heading; maintain 4;000.' the amass alarmed at the same time; possibly slightly after; I issued the go around. I looked to my cab coordinator for instructions as to how they wanted this go around to be handled. I issued a 270 heading to the go around once I realized that the climb to 4;000 was going to give me enough separation. The cab coordinator then told me that they wanted a heading of 240 and to maintain 3;000. At the same time the B737 tagged up. Recommendation; I should have issued a more westbound turn prior to the coordination from the cab coordinator. I also should have told the CRJ700 during the go around; 'go around; right side of runway.' also; more of a westbound turn should have been issued. Additionally; traffic should have been issued to the two aircraft as they got close versus allowing just the climb and the coordinated heading for the go around. When there are things that are distracting you from your normal way of doing things; a bigger emphasis on scanning is a must.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CVG Controller described a loss of separation event when failing to note the developing conflict between an arrival and a departure aircraft on the same runway; several distractions were listed as contributing factors.

Narrative: Approach Control attempted to point out VFR helicopter to Local Control. I took RADAR on the helicopter due to a number of south bound departures and to make sure of his track/route of flight. The helicopter was a low level that required assistance to eyeball in order to maintain visual with him reference any departures. His route was planned to go approximately 5 NM southeast of the field. He was flashed and eventually handed off to Local Control East once the helicopter was southeast bound on the runway. A B737 was instructed to 'Line up and Wait' while an aircraft with a void time departed off of Runway 27. The B737 was a southbound and expected to fly the RNAV departure. I was reluctant to launch the B737 jet unless I was able to physically see the helicopter in order to provide visual. Also; the helicopters tag had dropped approximately 3 NM south of CVG. Again; I wanted to make sure of the helicopter's position prior to clearing the B737 for takeoff. Once in sight; I cleared the B737 for takeoff. Right after that; I noticed that a CRJ700 was on short final. Just as I went to issue the go around; the CRJ700 asked if they should go around. I responded; 'CRJ700; go around; fly runway heading; maintain 4;000.' The AMASS alarmed at the same time; possibly slightly after; I issued the go around. I looked to my Cab Coordinator for instructions as to how they wanted this go around to be handled. I issued a 270 heading to the go around once I realized that the climb to 4;000 was going to give me enough separation. The Cab Coordinator then told me that they wanted a heading of 240 and to maintain 3;000. At the same time the B737 tagged up. Recommendation; I should have issued a more westbound turn prior to the coordination from the Cab Coordinator. I also should have told the CRJ700 during the go around; 'go around; right side of runway.' Also; more of a westbound turn should have been issued. Additionally; traffic should have been issued to the two aircraft as they got close versus allowing just the climb and the coordinated heading for the go around. When there are things that are distracting you from your normal way of doing things; a bigger emphasis on scanning is a must.

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.