CE550 flight crew experiences a NMAC with a T38 at SPS during a visual approach to Runway 15R.
Synopsis
CE550 flight crew experiences a NMAC with a T38 at SPS during a visual approach to Runway 15R.
Narrative
We entered the airport traffic area on a right downwind and the Tower Controller instructed to extend to turn a 7 mile final at or below 2;400 FT. At approximately 4 mile final to Runway 15C the Tower asked us if we would like to land on Runway 15R as it would be a substantial delay taxiing to the GA ramp if we landed on 15C. I advised the Tower we could accept Runway 15R and landing clearance was issued. The Tower said a long landing was approved as the general aviation FBO was at the end of the runway; which is 13;000 FT long. On approximately a 3 mile final at 2;100 FT; a T38 aircraft flew directly over our aircraft from our 6:00 position apparently on approach to the same runway. We estimate the vertical distance to be no more than 50 FT above us and horizontal distance approximately 30 FT ahead as he descended in front of us. At that point the T38 retracted his gear and applied go around thrust; apparently aborting his approach. As a result of his go-round we were in direct line of his jet blast and wake turbulence and the First Officer had an extremely difficult time keeping our aircraft upright. I immediately queried the Tower Controller on what had just happened and the only thing he said was 'the aircraft was on a missed approach'. The First Officer and I met with the Facility Military Safety Officer and filed a Hazardous Air Traffic Report (HATR). He advised us that he would be conducting an extensive investigation on the incident and would be contacting us when it was completed. I advised the Safety Officer that we never received a TCAS alert from the T38 and he said he probably had his transponder either turned off or on stand-by. As far as we are concerned; this is one of the most dangerous airports a civilian aircraft can operate into due to the experience levels of the control personnel.
Second reporter narrative
We were approaching from the south and were vectored around the field for landing. We were cleared for a 7 mile final at or below 2;400 FT for Runway 15 Center. At four miles out on final we were side stepped and cleared to land on 15 Right and advised to land long. At approximately 3 miles out a T38 came into our field of vision overhead and on our right. The T38 was in a right hand turn and could not see us. He was about 50 FT above and horizontal and when he rolled out of his turn he crossed through our flight path and went below our glideslope. We went through his wake turbulence and were rocked around for a few seconds. At this point he either saw us and went around or was called off. We immediately called Tower and asked what was going on and received a long 'ummmm' in reply. We continued the approach and landed safely. We asked for a number to call the Tower Supervisor and he told us that there were 2 Towers operating and using the same runway (15R) and that communications broke down in the process of us landing. The base Safety Officer came and took our statements.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.