Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Situational Awareness; Confusion
Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors
While working N-AR; I observed a C172 on an S-AR tag approximately 1 mile east of the airport. At the time; I thought that the C172 had executed a go-around on Runway YYR. The aircraft had arrived [at the airport] from the south. As I scanned my display; I then noticed that the C172 appeared to be turning towards the airport from the east lining up for Runway XXR. The aircraft at this point was less than a mile from the airport and I said out loud 'What's [the C172] doing'. As I spoke; I observed a limited data block in close proximity to [a C172] opposite direction departing. The tags merged. Local 1 called and pointed out [the C172] to my sector advising he was going to put him on the left downwind. R453 checked on the frequency and advised he had a near miss with [the C172]. I took the information from R453 and gave him the facility phone number so that he could discuss the event with the Front Line Manager. I advised Local 1 to instruct [the C172] to fly heading 290 and I would vector him back to final. [The C172] landed Runway YYL without further incident.
[A C172] inbound to [the airport] was instructed to enter the right mid-field down wind Runway YYR (via the [STAR] arrival). [The C172] entered the mid-field down wind and turned east (wrong direction) and entered a base for Runway XXR. [A C172] conflicted with [another C172]; a departure off Runway YYL. [The first C172] saw [the second C172] and turned to avoid. I observed the conflict and issued [the first C172] a 180 headings. [The first C172] did not take the heading; but turned north east. I then issued a 270 heading but [the first C172] turned east bound. I once again issued a 270 heading but [the first C172] continued east. I once again told [the first C172] to fly westbound and he finally complied. [The second C172] declared on the frequency that he had experienced a NMAC. [The first C172] was a solo student. Better pilot training by the local flight school. This student should not have been alone.
TRACON Controller described a NMAC between a traffic pattern arrival and a departing aircraft; the reports indicating the arrival aircraft was a student pilot who entered the pattern incorrectly.