PUB Tower controllers reported while changing an aircraft's landing runway due to wind the instructions resulted in the aircraft flying towards an obstruction. ATC issued further instructions to keep the aircraft away from the obstruction and the aircraft landed safely at the airport.
Synopsis
PUB Tower controllers reported while changing an aircraft's landing runway due to wind the instructions resulted in the aircraft flying towards an obstruction. ATC issued further instructions to keep the aircraft away from the obstruction and the aircraft landed safely at the airport.
Narrative
- Runway 08R/L in use; wind VRB/06- three small aircarft in pattern on Runway 08L reporting gains and losses of 10 kts- drastic wind shift occurred with wind gusting out of the north up to 52 kts- Aircraft X checked on approximately 7mi sw on a right base for Runway 08R- Approach gave control for us to take Aircraft X to Runway 35- told Aircraft X to fly northbound to enter left downwind Runway 35- CIC (Controller In Charge) stepped in as Aircraft X neared the TV antenna to the north and issued a 180 to keep him away from the obstruction- Aircraft X landed without incident and all aircraft diverted to the eastI feel like i had a bit of an expectation bias in how i expected the aircraft to maneuver to join the left downwind; not taking into consideration the antenna to the north with how far he would have to fly to accommodate his turn to join the pattern. Initially i wanted the aircraft to make a 180 to join the downwind but both my GC controller and CIC said; 'you can't turn him away from the airport' so i continued him northbound to join the departure end left downwind. I do not have a lot of experience with non-military jet aircraft; so how they fly their patterns is still a learning curve for me. I think in the future being more familiar with my 'outs' so that i can better handle the situation during nonstandard weather shifts will be helpful.
Second reporter narrative
I was CIC (Controller In Charge) overseeing 2 CPCs. 1 was working Ground and CD (Clearance Delivery) and the other was working Local.We were on a Runway 8R/L configuration and had a huge weather shift. From a few knots out of the east to over 50 kts out of the north/northwest. I called Approach to let them know we were going to have to switch to 26L or 35. They said Aircraft X was our control and switched him while he was setup for a visual for 8R.We had a handful of small aircraft in the pattern having to switch to 35 to land. I told LC1 (Local Control) to take Aircraft X on a right turn to the south to join final for 35. I then went and got my headset (I was monitoring with a handset/speaker) so I could help the LC1 as needed and possibly take over.Apparently LC1 told the Aircraft X to join some type of downwind. LC1 either confused the pilot or LC1 gave poor instructions. When I plugged in my headset and took over the Aircraft X was heading north towards the TV antenna. I then instructed them to make a left 180. We were able to keep them out of the MVA. I then brought them south to join base/final for 35.(I think she may have told them to enter/make a left downwind for Runway 35 and they just did a left turn instead. I'm not sure.)During this time I sequenced 3 small aircraft to follow each other on final. The first one was able to the land and the other 2 had to go around and depart due to the winds being so high (50kts+). I was able to sequence Aircraft X behind the 3rd one without issue. I had to vector several other inbound small aircraft out of the Class Delta. They all left to go east and try to land at another airport.Aircraft X landed on 35 without further incident and back taxied to parking.Unfortunately; our trainees aren't seeing much traffic both in volume or complexity. So they aren't getting the training that the need to be successful. I'm not really sure how we can fix this because we can't really control it. Hopefully we can make good simulator problems to help with this.The LC1 controller (prior experienced military and possibly contract as well) hasn't seen a lot of traffic here during her training and post training as a CPC. This was a slightly complex situation but really shouldn't have been that hard. When it doubt could have had the Aircraft X fly runway heading on their 8R visual approach; climb to 070 and have Approach bring them back around.Even though LC1 doesn't have a ton of time in the FAA they have plenty of time as a controller to know not to let aircraft fly towards terrain or other aircraft. Plus always call traffic/terrain.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.