A helicopter conducting training on runway 11R at tus experienced near midair collision with traffic...

Narrative:

Taxiway charlie is where helicopter training has typically occurred. The aforementioned taxiway was closed. No consideration was given to the amount of helicopter training done there daily. This necessitated moving helicopter operations to runway 11R. Clearance was given to our helicopter for a low approach. Aircraft Y; just joining the pattern; was advised of our helicopter's position in the pattern and was told 'cleared to land number 2 behind the helicopter.' the aircraft Y pilot replied; 'cleared number 2; looking for the helicopter'. Approximately 15 to 20 seconds later the aircraft Y pilot reported; 'helicopter insight.' ATC then repeated 'roger; aircraft Y number 2 behind the helicopter.' at about 50 ft AGL we were instructed to 'go around immediately; right turn to heading 270.' we complied immediately as the instructions were being repeated to ATC. There was definitely a tone of urgency in the tower controller's voice. As our turn out was being made; we gained visual contact with the aircraft Y beneath us. We were then instructed to land at the base of the tower. My helicopter student then asked; 'land at the base of the tower?' ATC then instructed us to 'land at the numbers of runway 3.' we repeated the instructions and complied. Once at the numbers of runway 3; we asked for further instructions and were told to 'taxi via runway 3 to taxiway A3 and park at the base of the tower'. After parking the helicopter and shutting down; I called tucson tower to find out why aircraft Y had tried to slide in under us. I was talking with the supervisor that had just come on shift and he said he would have to review the situation and get back to me. I believe that the controller on duty was overwhelmed with the traffic load. There were 8 to 10 F16 aircraft in the pattern for runway 11L; two small airplanes and ourselves in the pattern at runway 11R; and two commercial jets holding short of runway 11L; ready for departure. There were two more commercial jets taxiing on taxiway alpha to runway 11L as well. After meeting with ATC the next day; I was informed that there were only two controllers on duty. Too much work and not enough controllers.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A helicopter conducting training on Runway 11R at TUS experienced NMAC with traffic they had been instructed to follow. Reporter claimed Controller was overwhelmed with traffic.

Narrative: Taxiway Charlie is where helicopter training has typically occurred. The aforementioned taxiway was closed. No consideration was given to the amount of helicopter training done there daily. This necessitated moving helicopter operations to Runway 11R. Clearance was given to our helicopter for a low approach. Aircraft Y; just joining the pattern; was advised of our helicopter's position in the pattern and was told 'Cleared to land number 2 behind the helicopter.' The Aircraft Y pilot replied; 'Cleared number 2; looking for the helicopter'. Approximately 15 to 20 seconds later the Aircraft Y pilot reported; 'Helicopter insight.' ATC then repeated 'Roger; Aircraft Y number 2 behind the helicopter.' At about 50 FT AGL we were instructed to 'Go around immediately; right turn to heading 270.' We complied immediately as the instructions were being repeated to ATC. There was definitely a tone of urgency in the Tower Controller's voice. As our turn out was being made; we gained visual contact with the Aircraft Y beneath us. We were then instructed to land at the base of the tower. My helicopter student then asked; 'Land at the base of the tower?' ATC then instructed us to 'Land at the numbers of Runway 3.' We repeated the instructions and complied. Once at the numbers of Runway 3; we asked for further instructions and were told to 'Taxi via Runway 3 to Taxiway A3 and park at the base of the tower'. After parking the helicopter and shutting down; I called Tucson Tower to find out why Aircraft Y had tried to slide in under us. I was talking with the Supervisor that had just come on shift and he said he would have to review the situation and get back to me. I believe that the Controller on duty was overwhelmed with the traffic load. There were 8 to 10 F16 aircraft in the pattern for Runway 11L; two small airplanes and ourselves in the pattern at Runway 11R; and two commercial jets holding short of Runway 11L; ready for departure. There were two more commercial jets taxiing on Taxiway Alpha to Runway 11L as well. After meeting with ATC the next day; I was informed that there were only two controllers on duty. Too much work and not enough controllers.

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	848575
Time
Date	200908
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	TUS.Airport
State Reference	AZ
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Helicopter
Operating Under FAR Part	Other 61
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	None
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Person 1
Function	Instructor Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90 Flight Crew Total 1600 Flight Crew Type 1300
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict NMAC
Miss Distance	Horizontal 0 Vertical 50

A helicopter conducting training on runway 11R at tus experienced near midair collision with traffic they had been instructed to follow. Reporter claimed controller was overwhelmed with traffic.