Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 6
Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
I was working Local Control with an assist. I cleared Aircraft X for take-off Runway 30. After about 2 minutes; I cleared Helicopter Y for take-off one of the helipads; whose upwind intersects RWY 30. When I realized what I did; I told the helicopter to cross RWY 30 without delay. Aircraft X turned to the right to avert Helicopter Y; but Helicopter Y was already across at that point. I was in direct control of both aircraft. The incident happened because I was lackadaisical in my scan. Volume and complexity were low so I felt I had it. I normally scan Runway 30 prior to clearing a helicopter from the pads; something I didn't do in this situation.  I need to be more consistent with my scan. I need to maintain a heightened awareness when complexity and volume is low so that incidents such as these don't happen.
We were holding short of Runway 30 for our Estimated Departure Clearance Time (EDCT) time of XA00Z.  As the EDCT time approached; we heard a Cessna receive a takeoff clearance from 25L from intersection D.  I looked at the airport diagram and saw that was south of our runway.  Shortly thereafter; we were cleared for takeoff on Runway 30.  Upon takeoff after I made the V1 call I saw Helicopter Y from our right climbing and flying to our left and over our departure runway. I immediately tried to ascertain the best course of action.  After rotation; we made an immediate right turn to avoid Helicopter Y; then returned back on course.Maintaining constant scan and vigilance of the airport traffic/environment and surroundings.
An LGB Controller reports of an airborne conflict caused by his lackadaisical scan. He departed a jet off of runway 30 then departed a helicopter moments later. The helicopter's path crossed the departing jet's causing the conflict. The jet had to maneuver away from the helicopter. The pilots' report of the same scenario.