Narrative:

Aircraft X was handed off to jcf (joshua approach) at 12;000. The controller issued the landing information and told the aircraft to expect the visual approach runway 17 at vcv. The controller then informed the aircraft that vcv airport was 12 o'clock 18 miles. The controller did not inform the aircraft of apv airport which was 1 o'clock and 8 miles. The pilot stated it was hazy and he would report the airport in sight. He subsequently reported the airport in sight and the controller cleared him for a visual approach runway 17. Shortly after that the aircraft was issued a communication change to vcv airport. A little while later the low altitude alert went off for aircraft X. Aircraft X was approximately 15 miles east of the vcv airport at 5700. The controller silenced the low altitude alert as the aircraft left 5;500 MSL and continued to monitor the situation. The MVA for that area 6;500. When the controller noticed aircraft X turning final to apv airport he called the tower and asked if everything was ok with aircraft X it appears he was lined up to apv airport. The tower responded they would ask. The aircraft went into coast status briefly and was observed at 3;400 MSL. The field elevation is 3;062. Tower eventually issued a 300 heading and a climb to 6;000. I asked the tower to have the pilot call the facility. The pilot called and said it was hazy and he had a new first officer. He stated he had flown into vcv before and he was helping the first officer fly the airplane and descend and he got the wrong airport. He asked if there was going to be any punishment; I said not that I was aware of; I wanted to understand what had happened. I said he might want to file as soon as possible. I also asked the controller if he has issued apv 1 o'clock and 10 miles and vcv 12 o'clock and 18 miles and he said he did not. Another controller said they were not aware of that phraseology. Recommendations: refer this event to the lsc [training department] and have them create a lessons learned/ best practice to share with the facility. We have two sets of airports that are located 10 miles from each other. The 7110.65 paragraph 7-4-3g just says 'in those instances where airports are located in close proximity; also provide the location of the airport that may cause the confusion.' it is vague as to what constitutes close proximity. The controller used his judgement; but never issued the low altitude alert to the tower; or provided positive control instructions for the tower to issue.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: E10 Front Line Manager; Controller; and pilot report of not seeing the correct airport and lining up for another airport incorrectly. Tower Controller gets the aircraft heading towards the correct airport.

Narrative: Aircraft X was handed off to JCF (Joshua Approach) at 12;000. The controller issued the landing information and told the aircraft to expect the Visual Approach RWY 17 at VCV. The controller then informed the aircraft that VCV airport was 12 o'clock 18 miles. The controller did not inform the aircraft of APV airport which was 1 o'clock and 8 miles. The pilot stated it was hazy and he would report the airport in sight. He subsequently reported the airport in sight and the controller cleared him for a visual approach Runway 17. Shortly after that the aircraft was issued a communication change to VCV airport. A little while later the low altitude alert went off for Aircraft X. Aircraft X was approximately 15 miles east of the VCV airport at 5700. The controller silenced the low altitude alert as the aircraft left 5;500 MSL and continued to monitor the situation. The MVA for that area 6;500. When the controller noticed Aircraft X turning final to APV airport he called the tower and asked if everything was ok with Aircraft X it appears he was lined up to APV airport. The tower responded they would ask. The aircraft went into coast status briefly and was observed at 3;400 MSL. The field elevation is 3;062. Tower eventually issued a 300 heading and a climb to 6;000. I asked the tower to have the pilot call the facility. The pilot called and said it was hazy and he had a new First Officer. He stated he had flown into VCV before and he was helping the First Officer fly the airplane and descend and he got the wrong airport. He asked if there was going to be any punishment; I said not that I was aware of; I wanted to understand what had happened. I said he might want to file ASAP. I also asked the controller if he has issued APV 1 o'clock and 10 miles and VCV 12 o'clock and 18 miles and he said he did not. Another controller said they were not aware of that phraseology. Recommendations: refer this event to the LSC [training department] and have them create a lessons learned/ best practice to share with the facility. We have two sets of airports that are located 10 miles from each other. The 7110.65 Paragraph 7-4-3g just says 'in those instances where airports are located in close proximity; also provide the location of the airport that may cause the confusion.' it is vague as to what constitutes close proximity. The controller used his judgement; but never issued the low altitude alert to the tower; or provided positive control instructions for the tower to issue.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.