IFR general aviation inbound to sna on the ILS 19R during marginal weather conditions elects not to ...

Narrative:

Tower controller cleared an airbus into position on 19R. At about 3 miles out on the ILS 19R approach the tower controller asked if the airport was visible. Pilot responded that airport was just becoming visible but runway was not yet in sight; visibility was approximately 3 miles in haze/smog landing into the setting sun with overcast at approximately 2;000 ft approaching the airport from the west. Tower controller then stated 'cleared to continue the approach to minimums but cleared to land on 19 left'. During that transmission the runway came into view so pilot responded 'cleared to land on 19 left. The runway is in sight and I am turning now;' and turned left to align with the 19L runway. Tower controller then asked another aircraft apparently in the pattern for 19L if the dakota was in sight. The airbus on 19R was then cleared for take off. The visibility was likely so poor that the other aircraft in the pattern for 19R never saw the dakota. When no response was heard reporting the other aircraft had the dakota in sight; the tower controller cleared the dakota to land on 19R instead of 19L. At this point the dakota was at 500 MSL and about 3/4 to 1/2 mile short of the runway threshold. The airbus on 19R was just beginning its take off roll. The dakota then turned right to align with runway 19R. With only about 1/2 mile in trail of the airbus on take off the dakota responded; 'with that guy taking off landing clearance is declined.' the tower controller then responded with 'alright; you can make a right 360 there.' a climbing right 360 turn was then made and the dakota climbed to approximately 500 ft AGL. During the turn the tower controller directed the dakota; 'continue the base. Cleared to land on 19 left.' landing was made without incident on 19 left. One half mile or less in trail of a departing airbus; under full power; is not safe for an aircraft as light as a piper dakota. The dakota was on an IFR flight plan; in marginal visual conditions. Insufficient separation was provided by ATC. The problem could have been avoided by either keeping the airbus off of 19R until landing was assured by other traffic cleared on the ILS 19R approach or extending the downwind leg of the other traffic in the pattern for 19L.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: IFR General Aviation inbound to SNA on the ILS 19R during marginal weather conditions elects not to land when ATC cleared an Airbus for take off; the reporter claiming ATC did not provide sufficient separation.

Narrative: Tower Controller cleared an Airbus into position on 19R. At about 3 miles out on the ILS 19R Approach the Tower Controller asked if the airport was visible. Pilot responded that airport was just becoming visible but runway was not yet in sight; visibility was approximately 3 miles in haze/smog landing into the setting sun with overcast at approximately 2;000 FT approaching the airport from the west. Tower Controller then stated 'cleared to continue the approach to minimums but cleared to land on 19 Left'. During that transmission the runway came into view so pilot responded 'cleared to land on 19 Left. The runway is in sight and I am turning now;' and turned left to align with the 19L Runway. Tower Controller then asked another aircraft apparently in the pattern for 19L if the Dakota was in sight. The Airbus on 19R was then cleared for take off. The visibility was likely so poor that the other aircraft in the pattern for 19R never saw the Dakota. When no response was heard reporting the other aircraft had the Dakota in sight; the Tower Controller cleared the Dakota to land on 19R instead of 19L. At this point the Dakota was at 500 MSL and about 3/4 to 1/2 mile short of the runway threshold. The Airbus on 19R was just beginning its take off roll. The Dakota then turned right to align with Runway 19R. With only about 1/2 mile in trail of the Airbus on take off the Dakota responded; 'With that guy taking off landing clearance is declined.' The Tower Controller then responded with 'Alright; you can make a right 360 there.' A climbing right 360 turn was then made and the Dakota climbed to approximately 500 FT AGL. During the turn the Tower Controller directed the Dakota; 'Continue the base. Cleared to land on 19 Left.' Landing was made without incident on 19 Left. One half mile or less in trail of a departing Airbus; under full power; is not safe for an aircraft as light as a Piper Dakota. The Dakota was on an IFR flight plan; in marginal visual conditions. Insufficient separation was provided by ATC. The problem could have been avoided by either keeping the Airbus off of 19R until landing was assured by other traffic cleared on the ILS 19R approach or extending the downwind leg of the other traffic in the pattern for 19L.

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.

Attributes
ACN	981063
Time
Date	201111
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	SNA.Airport
State Reference	CA
Environment
Flight Conditions	Marginal
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Landing
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 24 Flight Crew Total 1600 Flight Crew Type 1300
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

IFR general aviation inbound to sna on the ILS 19R during marginal weather conditions elects not to land when ATC cleared an airbus for take off; the reporter claiming ATC did not provide sufficient separation.