Runway Incursion at JFK Last Night.

[arkflyr]

Weather all around the airport with the worst of it to the northeast, east, and southeast (like 1 SM OVC003 +RA TS)All traffic is landing RWY 6 and all departing traffic wants to depart RWY 24. TWR calls for a release off RWY 24 with traffic on like a six to seven mile final to RWY 6. The radar controller asks if the tower controller is going to get him out before traffic on final and the tower controller says yes. Traffic, holding short of RWY 24 is given a takeoff clearance with a right turn to a heading of 360 when traffic is on a five mile final to RWY 6. When the RWY 24 aircraft's tires leave the runway, the other aircraft is on a mile and a half final for RWY 6. Let's just say the situation, at that point, is observed by the TWR who turns them both to the north, where they crisscross twice in the air and miss both times by less than 100'. One of the pilots (out of Virginia Avenue), says they were so close he only saw the wingtip light go past the cockpit window when they missed.

Thanks

 

[Stinger]

Weather all around the airport with the worst of it to the northeast, east, and southeast (like 1 SM OVC003 +RA TS)All traffic is landing RWY 6 and all departing traffic wants to depart RWY 24. TWR calls for a release off RWY 24 with traffic on like a six to seven mile final to RWY 6. The radar controller asks if the tower controller is going to get him out before traffic on final and the tower controller says yes. Traffic, holding short of RWY 24 is given a takeoff clearance with a right turn to a heading of 360 when traffic is on a five mile final to RWY 6. When the RWY 24 aircraft's tires leave the runway, the other aircraft is on a mile and a half final for RWY 6. Let's just say the situation, at that point, is observed by the TWR who turns them both to the north, where they crisscross twice in the air and miss both times by less than 100'. One of the pilots (out of Virginia Avenue), says they were so close he only saw the wingtip light go past the cockpit window when they missed.

I've ran opposite direction that close before, but it's with local pilots that I'm well aware of how they will fly their planes. One time it got close like that for me with a departing MD80 that took all the time in the world to start the departure roll. But he did a nice early turn so it all worked out. Why the heck would the controller give both planes a north turn, so stupid.

But I've also heard of a controller having a tie with two helicopters. One was on left base, the other on right base. He gave them both 360s, and ended up with a tie again haha

 

[RobertB]

The problem was it was a week after the DCA opposite direction issue and it was overcast at like 300' with IMC up until 10K+. No chance of visual separation, familiar pilots making it work, etc.

 

[jayd1038]

My point is I don't hear anyone calling for the UAL crew's termination. The comment that set this all off was the poster who made the comment about being glad he got out of LGA alive after hearing a rumor that the controller in question now works there.

The comment was clearly exxagerative, I'm just saying I personally don't believe she should have a job as a ATC'er after that, especially not in a place like New York. If she corrected her issues and has become a much better controller for it, kudos to her, but I still don't empathize with how she acted in that certain situation because she went against EVERYTHING she was taught through OKC.