Fai TRACON controller described conflict event between two VFR aircraft; thinking visual requirement...

Narrative:

C208 departed fai via a left downwind departure northbound. Through coordination with the tower I was aware that C208 had a LR35 in sight that was on final to runway 19R. My scan was distracted by reading and interpreting a tfr NOTAM. I observed the C208 tracking toward a PA27; but did not call traffic. I mistakenly thought the C208 had the PA27 in sight. I must have been thinking of the LR35 that had since landed. The C208 reported having the PA27 in sight in such a way that I knew he was not previously aware of the traffic. I do not specifically recall the collision alert activating; but if it did then I think it was after the C208 reported the traffic in sight. I issued traffic to the PA27 who also reported seeing the C208. I did not attempt visual separation as the aircraft were already diverging. Fatigue and short staffing are a side note to this event. This event occurred near the end of my second session. Due to short staffing coverage; my first session in the tower was very busy. Six day work weeks and 10 hour days have been common for some time. This event occurred midway through my 5th of 6 working days this week; three of which were 10 hour days. We work a rattler schedule in order to stretch our coverage. This was my 2nd day shift following 3 swings. Sick leave cannot be granted for rest?

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: FAI TRACON Controller described conflict event between two VFR aircraft; thinking visual requirements had been accomplished when if fact they had not; fatigue listed as a causal factor.

Narrative: C208 departed FAI via a left downwind departure northbound. Through coordination with the tower I was aware that C208 had a LR35 in sight that was on final to Runway 19R. My scan was distracted by reading and interpreting a TFR NOTAM. I observed the C208 tracking toward a PA27; but did not call traffic. I mistakenly thought the C208 had the PA27 in sight. I must have been thinking of the LR35 that had since landed. The C208 reported having the PA27 in sight in such a way that I knew he was not previously aware of the traffic. I do not specifically recall the collision alert activating; but if it did then I think it was after the C208 reported the traffic in sight. I issued traffic to the PA27 who also reported seeing the C208. I did not attempt visual separation as the aircraft were already diverging. Fatigue and short staffing are a side note to this event. This event occurred near the end of my second session. Due to short staffing coverage; my first session in the tower was very busy. Six day work weeks and 10 hour days have been common for some time. This event occurred midway through my 5th of 6 working days this week; three of which were 10 hour days. We work a rattler schedule in order to stretch our coverage. This was my 2nd day shift following 3 swings. Sick leave cannot be granted for rest?

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	840036
Time
Date	200906
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	FAI.Airport
State Reference	AK
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-23-250 Turbo Aztec
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	VFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Caravan 208A
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 135
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Function	Departure
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Radar 5.5 Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (mon) 6 Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Fai TRACON controller described conflict event between two VFR aircraft; thinking visual requirements had been accomplished when if fact they had not; fatigue listed as a causal factor.