Air Traffic Control Fully Certified; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Air Traffic Control Radar 10; Air Traffic Control Supervisory 10; Flight Crew Last 90 Days 35; Flight Crew Total 5000; Flight Crew Type 1000
Training / Qualification
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors
I was conducting flight training and we were on an ILS approach to Runway 9R at MLB when I observed a red and white PA28 extending his left base through the final to Runway 9L. He was on a southerly heading flying directly towards us at the same altitude. When the separation became too close for my comfort level; I took control of the aircraft from my student who was under the hood. The moment I started evasive action I saw the pilot in the right seat of the Piper react to our aircraft and the Piper made an immediate and steep left turn back to the final for 9L. Once sufficient separation prevailed; I re-established the aircraft back on the ILS and gave control back to the student. We completed the approach and landing without incident. The frequency was very busy and I waited until on the ground to tell the Ground Controller how close the PA28 was. I estimated 500 FT or less and told Ground that. The other aircraft's crew then came on the frequency to say it wasn't that close. I have hundreds of hours of formation flying in addition to over 5;000 hours of flight time; and can judge distances as well as anyone. The Instructor's face was clearly surprised to see our aircraft and its proximity to him; that's how close the two aircraft did get.
A student and instructor pilot aboard a M20K suffered an NMAC with a PA28 while on approach to parallel runways at MLB.