Iah controller described a TCAS RA event involving a B737 runway 27 arrival and a helicopter transit...

Narrative:

A helicopter was transitioning through the area along highway 59 north to south at 700 ft. A B737 was on approach to runway 27. When the B737 was approximately 8 miles on final; I issued traffic information to him about the helicopter at 2 o'clock five miles southbound at 700 ft. He replied that he was looking for the traffic. A couple of miles later the B737 reported the helicopter in sight. The helicopter requested; and I approved; a turn slightly to the east. From what I observed visually; the helicopter turned and passed slightly behind B737. The B737 continued his approach and after they had passed; casually said he 'received an RA on that guy'. Recommendation; have the helicopter alter his flight a bit earlier to stay well clear of the faster moving jet traffic; and issue more traffic advisories to both aircraft.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: IAH Controller described a TCAS RA event involving a B737 Runway 27 arrival and a helicopter transitioning the area; the reporter noting additional traffic information may have been warranted in this case.

Narrative: A helicopter was transitioning through the area along Highway 59 north to south at 700 FT. A B737 was on approach to Runway 27. When the B737 was approximately 8 miles on final; I issued traffic information to him about the Helicopter at 2 o'clock five miles southbound at 700 FT. He replied that he was looking for the traffic. A couple of miles later the B737 reported the helicopter in sight. The helicopter requested; and I approved; a turn slightly to the east. From what I observed visually; the helicopter turned and passed slightly behind B737. The B737 continued his approach and after they had passed; casually said he 'received an RA on that guy'. Recommendation; have the helicopter alter his flight a bit earlier to stay well clear of the faster moving jet traffic; and issue more traffic advisories to both aircraft.

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	898577
Time
Date	201007
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	IAH.Airport
State Reference	TX
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Helicopter
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

Iah controller described a TCAS RA event involving a B737 runway 27 arrival and a helicopter transitioning the area; the reporter noting additional traffic information may have been warranted in this case.