Overview
On May 9, 2017, at about 1629 central daylight time, a near midair collision (NMAC) occurred at Lakefront Airport (NEW), New Orleans, Louisiana. The incident involved a Cessna 172, registration N520ER, and a Piper PA-32, registration N43WW. Both aircraft were maneuvering to land on runway 36 right (36R). The NMAC occurred about 0.45 nautical miles from the threshold of runway 36R, when N520ER initiated a go-around and overflew N43WW, which was on landing rollout. Neither aircraft sustained damage, and no injuries were reported. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
History of Flight
According to FAA ATC radar and voice data, at 1618:02, the pilot of N43WW contacted the Lakefront Airport control tower and requested takeoff. The tower cleared the pilot for takeoff from runway 36R and instructed a right closed traffic pattern. The aircraft became airborne at approximately 1619:08.
At 1625:06, the pilot of N520ER contacted the tower, reporting 6.5 nautical miles east of NEW inbound for the traffic pattern. The tower instructed the pilot to enter a right base for runway 36R, which was acknowledged.
At 1627:38, the tower cleared N520ER for the option and instructed the pilot to enter right closed traffic after the go-around. The pilot acknowledged. Meanwhile, N43WW was turning on a right crosswind for runway 36R.
At 1629:29, as N43WW crossed the extended centerline of runway 9, the pilot began a base leg turn for runway 36R. Three seconds later, the conflict alert (CA) activated in the tower, providing an aural and visual alert of a potential conflict between N520ER and N43WW.
At 1630:03, the pilot of N520ER initiated a go-around and advised the tower of an aircraft landing on runway 36R. The tower responded by instructing N520ER to go around. At 1630:29, the tower instructed N43WW to stay on the ground, which was acknowledged.
Airport and Radar Data
Radar data from the FAA New Orleans terminal radar approach control (MSY) in Kenner, Louisiana, was of good quality. The tower display workstation at NEW presented a slaved picture from the MSY radar. Radar plots showed both aircraft as they approached the runway 36R threshold. The pilot of N520ER initiated a go-around after N43WW descended while on a right base leg turn to final at about 0.45 NM from the threshold. The closest proximity was estimated at about 516 feet based on radar data.
Weather Information
At 1553, the automated weather observation at NEW recorded wind from 340° at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 4,900 feet above ground level, temperature 28°C, dew point 18°C, and altimeter setting 30.07 inches of mercury.
Air Traffic Directives
FAA Joint Order 7110.65(W) outlines controller duties. Paragraph 2-1-2 states that first priority is separating aircraft and issuing safety alerts. Paragraph 3-8-1 addresses sequencing and spacing of arriving and departing aircraft. Paragraph 3-10-3 specifies same runway separation requirements. Paragraph 2-1-6 covers safety alerts, including immediate issuance of alerts for aircraft in unsafe proximity. In this incident, the conflict alert system activated, and the tower issued a go-around instruction to N520ER.