PA-31T Cheyenne I
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 4690; Flight Crew Type 230
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
I was flying to ZZZ. I entered a right downwind for the active. I was asked to extend the downwind for a number of departures. The tower specifically advised me as to when to turn right base; which I did. I then turned final and was specifically cleared to land. At about 1.5 miles out; the tower cleared a Cessna 172 to taxi onto the active runway and depart. I could tell almost immediately that the departing traffic would not be off the runway in time for me to land. About 1/4 mile from the runway; the tower instructed me to 'go around.' I immediately executed a go-around and (although I can't specifically recall) either the tower instructed me to go right or I asked to go right so as to see the departing traffic. As I climbed to the right; my collision avoidance equipment depicted and I immediately saw a helicopter in my 1:00 position and above me that was paralleling the runway and coming towards me. I asked the tower to which side of the helicopter I should pass. The tower responded that the helicopter was 'near or on the ground.' I advised the tower that the helicopter was directly in front of me as I made an evasive maneuver to the right (SSE). Someone broadcast in the clear that 'that was interesting.' Although not sure; it may have been the helicopter pilot. At some point; someone asked if that 'guy was on a missed approach' referring to me. I should have broadcast that no; I had been cleared to land; but I kept quiet. Although; the tower advised the pilot that no; the other aircraft (me) was not on a missed approach. I kept quiet on the radio as to not call attention to the controller's error. The Cessna should have never been cleared to depart in front of me. I should have questioned earlier the controller's decision to clear an aircraft to depart in front of me while I was on short final. I saw the whole thing unfold in real time. Fortunately; the weather was perfect; the visibility outstanding; and the helicopter was being operated by a professional crew. It's important to keep traffic flowing. And yes; it was a relatively busy evening for that airport. But; there was absolutely no reason to try and launch another aircraft until after I had landed and departed the runway.
PAY1 pilot reported a near miss with a helicopter while going around in the traffic pattern.