Two Flight Instructors from the same flight school reported a NMAC while climbing out from the airport. The pilots reported they were given instructions from ATC which created the conflict. Evasive action was taken by both instructor pilots.
Synopsis
Two Flight Instructors from the same flight school reported a NMAC while climbing out from the airport. The pilots reported they were given instructions from ATC which created the conflict. Evasive action was taken by both instructor pilots.
Narrative
My student and I were on the up wind of Runway 12C at IWA and IWA Tower told us to extend our upwind and they would call our x-wind. Once we got to TPA 2;600 ft. Tower told us to begin left x-wind for left traffic Runway 12L. I told my student to hold off on the turn because I noticed Aircraft Y had departed Runway 12L just after us and knew they were on the up wind as well. I believe Tower told that Aircraft Y we would be crossing in front of them and that it shouldn't be a factor. Just before I was going to call tower to double check they told us; Aircraft X; to start our left turn immediately onto the x-wind. Once we turned X-wind I saw Aircraft Y climbing into us and took controls from my student and immediately added power and climbed to 2;800 ft. and Aircraft Y took the actions as well and started to descend to 2;500/2;400 ft. If either of us weren't aware of the situation and traffic we would have been at least 50 ft. from each other or closer. After this happened it didn't seem like ATC knew of the situation because they did not say anything after it had happened. At the time ATC was training a new hire.
Second reporter narrative
I was doing an evaluation of a student who was training to do solo flights; in Aircraft Y at XA45 MST. We were in the traffic pattern at IWA and communicating on tower frequency 120.6. After a go around on Runway 12L; we were told by Gateway Tower to fly straight out. As we were flying straight out; there was another aircraft from our flight school; Aircraft X; that was flying straight out for a parallel runway off our right hand side. I already had them in sight before Gateway Tower advised us of their position. I also maintained visual contact with that aircraft throughout this event. Gateway Tower told the other aircraft to turn left crosswind; and advised us to look for traffic ahead and to the right; crossing right to left in front of us. Immediately; my student and I knew that the spacing was going to be tight if we continued the way Gateway Tower told us to. My student queried ATC and verified that they wanted us to fly straight out at 2;600 feet; and they confirmed the clearance. As we approached the other aircraft; we descended below TPA and they climbed above TPA to avoid each other. Although I had the conflicting traffic in sight before they even started turning; the directions given to us by ATC presented a potential hazard considering the close proximity in which they directed us to the other aircraft. This was a reminder of a lesson I have taught many students in the past; to always be on high alert even in controlled airspace.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.