Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4.5
Situational Awareness; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure; Human Factors; Airport; Company Policy
I was being relieved on Local South by another controller. This incident occurred while I was in the 2 minute position relief overlap. I witnessed the Supervisor observing the situation. The Local North controller had about 5 aircraft in their pattern which is normal traffic for our facility. Aircraft X was inbound from the northwest on a left base for runway 7L. There was an aircraft on the final for runway 7L. Both of these aircraft were talking to the Local North controller. Aircraft Y was making an approach for runway 7R on Local South's frequency. Aircraft X was on left base and about 3/4 NM from final. The Local North Controller told them to follow the aircraft that was on final for runway 7L. The controller then told Aircraft X something along the lines of 'make an S turn to the right to join final' in order to follow the aircraft. Aircraft X complied however was too close to final so when they turned west in order to follow the aircraft they were about ¼ NM north of the Runway 7L finals. The pilot then made a left 180 degree turn to join the finals but because they were so close they overshot through finals. Just before this I had advised the controller who was now working Local South to watch Aircraft X as he was going to overshoot the finals. This controller advised Aircraft Y; who was on final for runway 7R; about the traffic. Right after the controller told the pilot; Aircraft Y did not respond but was observed making a sharp right turn to avoid Aircraft X. Aircraft Y responded after about 2 traffic calls with something along the lines of 'that was too close'. This event was caused by a Local North controller with poor skills. Any other controller at the facility would have done the right thing and sent Aircraft X around. The aircraft was too close to final to maneuver to make the spacing work. Because of this controller's lack of skills; they did not make sure they had correct spacing with Aircraft X on base with the aircraft on final and chose a dangerous maneuver which put people's lives in danger. No airspace/procedure changes would have stopped this situation from occurring. The controller is only certified on Local North; Ground and Flight Data/Clearance Delivery. After observing this situation and multiple others; my recommendation is to terminate their training at our facility. This; along with their training; has proven they do not have the skills to work at our facility.
I was working the local south position when I observed an aircraft that appeared to have flown through my finals and was now heading toward my downwind traffic flying opposite direction. I immediately called traffic to my aircraft who was on the downwind because the aircraft was heading towards that traffic. I then called out to the Local North controller; 'who is that aircraft 2 southwest flying opposite direction.' The Ground Controller then got binoculars and advised me who it was. People in the cab thought that was my aircraft but I said again that it was not my aircraft.At this point the aircraft which I later found out was Aircraft X was from the north airspace and talking to the North Controller was heading for an aircraft on the downwind. I believe Aircraft X went right under or above another one of my aircraft that was on final. At this point; I didn't know what Aircraft X was doing because the Local North Controller was lost and had no idea who that airplane was. I immediately turned the downwind aircraft southbound so we would not get in the way of Aircraft X. I had another aircraft also on the downwind that I thought I would have to turn as well; but then Aircraft X started flying south-southeastbound and was kind of paralleling my traffic.I had to turn downwind traffic eastbound because I was still trying to avoid Aircraft X who was heading southeast bound towards Aircraft Y. However; I didn't want to turn Aircraft Y into my downwind traffic. I brought Aircraft Y back into the pattern and at this point I hear the Cab Coordinator telling the Local North Controller to fly Aircraft X eastbound and climb him to 3;000 feet to avoid my traffic. At this point the Cab Coordinator asks if I can take Aircraft X who is completely in my airspace and at this point about 2-3 miles south of the airport. I take the aircraft and continue working my pattern. I do not know how close Aircraft X got to Aircraft Y who was the first aircraft base to final. This aircraft had already had a previous incident when I first plugged in with another aircraft that was turning final from the north side and I filed an ATSAP on. I turned to the Supervisor who was working on the desk and said that my Aircraft Y had just almost been hit 2 times by aircraft from the north. During the situation; the Local North Controller had no idea who the aircraft was in my airspace. He was not responding to me or other controllers in the tower who were asking who that aircraft was and advising him that it was his airplane in my airspace. I think the Local North controller had too many airplanes that were beyond his abilities and had completely lost the picture. I also have no idea what instructions were given to this pilot. Even if the pilot flew on his own into my airspace; the Local North controller needed to issue him control instructions to fix the situation and ensure he did not get in any more conflict with my aircraft. My recommendation is that trainees not be pushed through the training program when they are not ready. The Local North Controller was recently training on Local South and I got on his training team at 25% of his hours on Local South. At this time; I realized that this controller did not have the skills and abilities that he should have had to be certified on Local North and was struggling with the volume and increase complexity of local south. I also told this individual and management that I had no idea how he got certified on Local North. I have seen this controller work numerous situations and not have situational awareness; not issue necessary control instructions and not manage conflicts or aircraft speeds and performance. Every day I witness more unsafe situations with this controller and today his airplanes got in conflict with my airplanes; my pattern; and in my airspace numerous times which created numerous unsafe situations. I have advised management of my concern of this controller and his lack of abilities and management has been advised by numerous other controllers as well. My recommendation is that this controller be decertified and given remedial training.
DVT Tower controllers observed a partially certified Controller lose situational awareness and issue instructions to an aircraft which placed it into confliction with several other aircraft in the airport traffic pattern.