Narrative:

Several aircraft inbound from the south to arrive runway 36; at least two in the VFR pattern. Aircraft X inbound to the VFR pattern; to report 3 mile left base. Aircraft X enters base and is cleared for the option runway 36; then left traffic. Local control issues traffic to multiple aircraft to the south all entering the class D surface area to arrive runway 36. Aircraft Y inbound from northwest is issued runway 36; left traffic; and to report entering departure end left downwind for traffic in the pattern. Pilot does not advise student pilot. Aircraft X now on left cross wind; is sequenced to follow a aircraft Z on a practice approach; straight in to a full stop. As local control is issuing upwind extension for an aircraft in the pattern because of aircraft Y inbound to the departure end downwind; local control notices aircraft Y assumed target on the tower radar display near midfield. Local control told aircraft Y to enter the downwind; sequence and told to expect to follow aircraft X on approach end left downwind. Local control makes several transmissions for other traffic; including the landing clearance for aircraft Z. Local control asked aircraft Y if he is following aircraft Z; and the pilot response is that he has aircraft Z in sight. Immediately after that transmission ends; aircraft Z advises they observe aircraft Y above and would like to just come back to land at a taxiway near the ramp. No mention was made by any pilot of a near mid-air collision; all aircraft were VFR. Aircraft Y student pilot's instructor should re-visit VFR pattern procedures with student.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: TVC Tower Controller reported not noticing that an aircraft entered the VFR traffic pattern at the incorrect position on downwind and had reported the incorrect helicopter to follow.

Narrative: Several aircraft inbound from the south to arrive Runway 36; at least two in the VFR pattern. Aircraft X inbound to the VFR pattern; to report 3 mile left base. Aircraft X enters base and is cleared for the option Runway 36; then left traffic. Local Control issues traffic to multiple aircraft to the south all entering the Class D surface area to arrive Runway 36. Aircraft Y inbound from Northwest is issued Runway 36; left traffic; and to report entering departure end left downwind for traffic in the pattern. Pilot does not advise student pilot. Aircraft X now on left cross wind; is sequenced to follow a Aircraft Z on a practice approach; straight in to a full stop. As Local Control is issuing upwind extension for an aircraft in the pattern because of Aircraft Y inbound to the departure end downwind; Local Control notices Aircraft Y assumed target on the Tower Radar Display near midfield. Local Control told Aircraft Y to enter the downwind; sequence and told to expect to follow Aircraft X on approach end left downwind. Local Control makes several transmissions for other traffic; including the landing clearance for Aircraft Z. Local control asked Aircraft Y if he is following Aircraft Z; and the pilot response is that he has Aircraft Z in sight. Immediately after that transmission ends; Aircraft Z advises they observe Aircraft Y above and would like to just come back to land at a taxiway near the ramp. No mention was made by any pilot of a near mid-air collision; all aircraft were VFR. Aircraft Y student pilot's instructor should re-visit VFR pattern procedures with student.

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.