SAT TRACON Controller reported being advised of an NMAC from an aircraft operating in SUA with an untracked VFR aircraft resulting in the aircraft taking evasive action to avoid a possible collision.

Date: 2024-11 · Aircraft: Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear · Phase: descent

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|conflict-nmac

Synopsis

SAT TRACON Controller reported being advised of an NMAC from an aircraft operating in SUA with an untracked VFR aircraft resulting in the aircraft taking evasive action to avoid a possible collision.

Narrative

Aircraft X was on an IFR flight plan established in area 6L of the RND1B MOA. Aircraft X inquired if I had traffic for them which I replied I did not because there was nothing observed on RADAR. Aircraft X said he had a near mid air during aerobatic maneuvers with a small single engine aircraft flying northbound at 8;500. During the discussion of this event on frequency with Aircraft X; a primary target did appear intermittently after the event about 2 miles north of Aircraft X. Upon review of playback there was no observed RADAR target; primary or secondary at all until after the NMAC had occurred. I called the next two sectors and that the primary target was heading for and gave them a reported altitude. Aircraft X reported the event to be a near mid air with zero lateral and less than 500 feet vertical as they aborted their maneuver to avoid the aircraft. Recommendation - Aircraft with zero transponders should not be allowed to fly through SUA. This aircraft was invisible to RADAR and TCAS/ADSB flying right into the flight pattern of aircraft doing military training. The fact that this is perfectly legal is unacceptable.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.