Incident Overview
On April 13, 2011, at 1222 Central daylight time, an air traffic control operational error and near midair collision occurred at Midland International Airport (MAF) in Midland, Texas. The incident involved a flight of two T-1 Jayhawk U.S. Air Force training aircraft (civilian-type Beech BE40 turbojets), designated TONE97, and N631ME, a Raytheon-Beech King Air 300. Both aircraft were on final approach to runway 28. No injuries were reported, and no damage was sustained by any of the aircraft involved.
Aircraft and Sequence
MAF is a civil airport heavily used for training by Air Force aircraft based at Laughlin Air Force Base, located about 170 miles southeast. At the time of the operational error, several USAF flights were operating in the MAF traffic pattern. TONE97 entered the airport area on a left downwind approach to runway 28. Initial contact with radar approach control was routine. At 1211:50, the approach controller advised the local controller that TONE97 consisted of two aircraft. At 1217:35, TONE97 was switched to tower frequency and performed a communications check. At 1218:02, TONE97 contacted local control reporting a five-mile initial. The controller cleared them for a left break midfield, descent approved, and cleared for the option on runway 28, noting a company Beech about three-mile final. TONE97 acknowledged. At 1219:19, N631ME checked in on tower frequency on a visual approach to runway 28, about 7 miles north of the runway on a wide right downwind. The controller instructed the pilot to continue for the runway.
Controller Actions and Sequence Breakdown
Radar data indicated TONE97 commenced the left break maneuver at 1220. The wingman (TONE97-2) dropped back to about 1.4 miles behind the lead. Both entered close-in left downwind for runway 28. TONE97's transponder was on; TONE97-2's was off, providing only primary radar target with no altitude data. The local controller visually observed N631ME and both T-1s from the tower. At 1221:13, the controller transmitted, "King Air 1ME you'll be number 3 for the field following a flight of two Beechjets currently about a mile on the left base, report the traffic in sight." The pilot reported seeing one of them. The controller added, "There's one behind him a little bit higher just south of runway 34R." The pilot did not acknowledge. Radar showed TONE97-2 and N631ME converging on opposite base legs about 1.5 miles from runway 28. At 1221:53, the controller instructed N631ME to fly a little south and asked if he had the second aircraft in sight. The pilot responded, "King Air 631ME's waving off, this is entirely ridiculous. We’re going to do a 360 if that’ll work for you." The controller approved a right 360 and rejoin final.
At 1223:09, an unidentified voice similar to N631ME transmitted, "...that was a perfect recipe for a midair." Subsequently, both TONE97 aircraft and N631ME landed safely on runway 28.
Radar Data and Closest Point of Approach
According to recorded radar data, the closest point of approach between TONE97-2 and N631ME was approximately 0.3 nautical miles. Flight track graphics were entered into the docket.
Personnel Interviews
Multiple controllers were interviewed. The local control trainee, who had over 90 hours of training, noted that he had not yet received instruction on approach radar positions. He stated his objective was to sequence arrivals as early as possible. He acknowledged responding to N631ME's initial call with "continue" instead of sequencing, a habit from his previous tower with Class D airspace. His instructor, who had been with the FAA since 1988, stated that the sequence should have been established earlier. He noted that the wingman was further in trail than normal. The front line manager remarked that the King Air should have been number one, and the instructor should have forced a sequence earlier. The radar trainee and instructor also provided perspectives, with the radar instructor noting that extending the downwind for the T-1s could have prevented the incident.
No probable cause was explicitly stated in the source.