2011-06 · NASA ASRS report 953065
An IFR PA32 pilot on a GPS approach had a NMAC after ZOA reported traffic in the destination class D [airspace]; then switched the pilot to Local Control after his aircraft was in the class D airspace.
A PA32 piloted by me was cleared for an IFR departure. After climbing through 1;800 FT MSL; I went into VFR-on-top conditions; reported to Center I was in on top conditions; requested direct; and they approved. I continued to climb to 7;500 FT MSL; where I leveled off for the duration of the flight. I was handed off to Oakland Center and requested a decent to 5;500 FT; where they approved my decent. They then asked me for my request. I replied requesting the RNAV GPS approach; as the automated weather stated 1000 FT broken [and] GPS approach in use. They approved my request and told me to cross the initial approach fix at or above 5;500 FT and I was cleared for the approach. I began to descend using my GPS and WAAS glidepath while monitoring Tower. I then hear another plane state to Tower that a plane just passed him overhead at 100 FT (I believe that was the distance he stated at the time). Oakland Center came on no more than a minute later stating that there was traffic at my one o'clock and quickly said maybe it's behind you now. I stated 'negative contact' on the traffic. I then requested a frequency change to Tower about ten miles out and I received no reply. Finally; Oakland Center told me to switch frequencies on about a four mile final on the GPS approach. I switched to Tower where they became very defensive that I didn't call them before I entered class Delta airspace. I explained [that] I tried to switch; but didn't receive a reply from Center. Tower didn't respond to me. I then heard the other airplane ask the Tower where I was so he could talk to me and the Tower told him where I was going and that it was at his discretion. I pushed my plane into its parking and the gentleman approached me in a rude manner telling me how I was twenty five feet from him and I need to look out of my window. I then explained to him that I was on an IFR flight plan on a cleared approach and apologized for our close encounter. He didn't care to listen. There is no need to explain any further how our conversation went because it wasn't productive. He did say he was going to file a near miss with the FAA and he walked away shouting obscenities.
I was working the R-side position at ZOA. A PA32 was inbound from the north on a GPS approach; about a ten mile final. VFR traffic curled below and in front of the PA32 heading toward the same airport. I called traffic for the PA32 and then answered the land line to NorCal TRACON. When I was off the land line; the traffic was no factor so I transferred communications five to six miles from the destination airport. I was later informed that due to Tower frequency congestion; the PA32 pilot was unable to establish communications with the Tower in a timely manner. This resulted in him getting in close proximity of another aircraft in the destination airport traffic pattern. The other aircraft then filed a NMAC. In a situation like this I would recommend advising the Tower of possible late communication transfers whenever an aircraft gets near seven miles from the airport to give Sector 40 or other aircraft alternate instructions where applicable.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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