Citation Excel (C560XL)
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
A Citation Excel was on departure roll. I overheard Local Control 3 clear a helicopter for departure off the non movement area just west of the departure end of Runway XXR. I then noticed the helicopter lift and head toward the Tower in front of the departing Citation. The ASDE-X alarmed for occupied runway. I asked the Citation if he had the helicopter in sight and an affirmative reply was given. I then switched the aircraft to Departure. It appeared the helicopter crossed with mere feet of lateral/vertical seperation. I'm not sure what instructions were given to the helicopter on departure. I would recommend the helicopter Controller to have aircraft stay away from active runways until seperation can be obtained then give routing instructions.
While working Local Control 3; a helicopter called me requesting a southeast departure. I looked at what traffic Local Control 2 and Local Control 1 [had]. I noticed that Local Control 2 had traffic inbound for [Runway] XXR; but didn't see that he also had traffic about to depart [Runway] XXR. I saw traffic taking the runway for YYR and thought that the Local Control 1 Controller was departing. With those observations; I cleared the helicopter into our Class B airspace at or below 3;000 FT. I also told him to remain north of the east-west runways and to proceed east across the north-south's. The Local Control 2 Controller noticed the helicopter crossing down field in front of his departure. The incident caused the ASDE-X to alarm. The pilot of the Citation stated that he saw the helicopter and that it wasn't a factor to him. Coordination with the Local Control controller should be used to cross the active runways.
Tower Controller described an ASDE-X alarm when uncoordinated helicopter traffic passed in front of a departing Citation; failed internal Tower coordination was listed as the causal factor.