Dca controller described a TCAS RA event involving an arrival to runway 19 and a helicopter landing ...

Narrative:

I was training on local control with helicopter control combined. A MD80 was descending on final approach for runway 19 on about an 8 mile final when a VFR helicopter reported landing assured at georgetown hospital requesting frequency change; the hospital is located directly underneath the runway 19 final 4 miles from the airport. At the time of reporting landing assured; the helicopter's mode C indicated 400 descending. After seeing the beginning of descent into georgetown hospital; I approved the pilot to change frequency. As the MD80 approached a 4 mile final; I observed the helicopter climbing and circling in the vicinity of georgetown hospital; at that time I issued traffic to the MD80 on the helicopter and attempted to establish contact to issue traffic; but could not establish communication. The pilot of the MD80 then notified me that he was responding to an RA due to the helicopter traffic. The MD80 climbed approximately 100-200 ft in response to the RA and then continued on the approach and landed after the RA was resolved. At the time of the RA; the MD80 indicated 1;200 ft and helicopter indicated 700 ft. Recommendation; I would recommend that if a helicopter reports landing assured and requests frequency change to advisory that the pilot understands that they are not allowed to climb above the last altitude observed by ATC without proper coordination. If the helicopter is required to circle for any reason in order to land at the heliport; they should be required to contact ATC immediately for approval.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DCA Controller described a TCAS RA event involving an arrival to Runway 19 and a helicopter landing at Georgetown Hospital; the helicopter climbing unexpectedly after granting a frequency change.

Narrative: I was training on Local Control with Helicopter Control combined. A MD80 was descending on final approach for Runway 19 on about an 8 mile final when a VFR helicopter reported landing assured at Georgetown Hospital requesting frequency change; the hospital is located directly underneath the Runway 19 final 4 miles from the airport. At the time of reporting landing assured; the helicopter's Mode C indicated 400 descending. After seeing the beginning of descent into Georgetown Hospital; I approved the pilot to change frequency. As the MD80 approached a 4 mile final; I observed the helicopter climbing and circling in the vicinity of Georgetown Hospital; at that time I issued traffic to the MD80 on the helicopter and attempted to establish contact to issue traffic; but could not establish communication. The pilot of the MD80 then notified me that he was responding to an RA due to the helicopter traffic. The MD80 climbed approximately 100-200 FT in response to the RA and then continued on the approach and landed after the RA was resolved. At the time of the RA; the MD80 indicated 1;200 FT and helicopter indicated 700 FT. Recommendation; I would recommend that if a helicopter reports landing assured and requests frequency change to advisory that the pilot understands that they are not allowed to climb above the last altitude observed by ATC without proper coordination. If the helicopter is required to circle for any reason in order to land at the heliport; they should be required to contact ATC immediately for approval.

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	933511
Time
Date	201102
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	DCA.Tower
State Reference	DC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Helicopter
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Developmental
Person 2
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Dca controller described a TCAS RA event involving an arrival to runway 19 and a helicopter landing at georgetown hospital; the helicopter climbing unexpectedly after granting a frequency change.