SCT Controller described an unsafe event that involves traffic on the KAYOH4 STAR and skydiving activity near Perris Valley. The reporter recommended moving the STAR and/or limiting the altitude of the skydivers.
Synopsis
SCT Controller described an unsafe event that involves traffic on the KAYOH4 STAR and skydiving activity near Perris Valley. The reporter recommended moving the STAR and/or limiting the altitude of the skydivers.
Narrative
Air Carrier X was flying the KAYOH4 Arrival; which routes aircraft from BANDS to HDF VOR to KAYOH intersection. There is a skydiving zone approximately 2 miles from HDF VOR. This is a very active jump zone. If we leave the KAYOH4 arrivals on the STAR; then virtually every arrival is traffic for every jump aircraft. As such; it is common practice to route the arrivals from BANDS to KAYOH; thus avoiding the jump zone. This morning; I had a string of about 5-6 arrivals on that particular route and I was giving my normal clearance: 'After BANDS; proceed direct KAYOH;' to avoid the jump zone. Aircraft Y was the jump aircraft that was up and down in the zone. According to the Supervisor who reviewed the tape; I failed to give Air Carrier X direct KAYOH for some unknown reason; so he was headed right for the jump zone. Because direct KAYOH brings arrivals close to; but not over; the jump zone it is sometimes hard to tell if they aren't going direct. Because I thought I had given Air Carrier X direct KAYOH; I was expecting him to come close; but not go through the jump zone. I didn't notice that he was approaching the jump zone until the last moment. I attempted to turn Air Carrier X out of the way and stop the skydiving operation until the traffic was clear; but aircraft Y was already dropping skydivers. Air Carrier X said he had the jump aircraft in sight and that the jumpers were about a mile from his wing. After the event; Air Carrier X and I had a small discussion about what happened. Aircraft Y indicated he wanted to call the facility to find out what happened and why.Why we have a STAR that routes every arrival virtually right over a busy jump zone is a mystery to me. The KAYOH STAR requires Controller action (and follow-through) on virtually every arrival to maintain separation from the jump zone. This arrival needs to be moved a few miles northwest to avoid the jump zone completely. Also; allowing the jump zone to operate 14;500 FT and below in such congested airspace is a safety issue. Jump operations should be capped much lower (9;500 FT) to allow us more room to vector the arrivals or to leave them on the STAR as it was designed. This would produce less frequency congestion; less vectors and reduce the workload in the HEMET Sector.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.