Narrative:

I was assigned tower controller in charge position. After receiving a briefing; I took the position. Training was being conducted on local and the ground position. I observed local clear a cherokee depart runway 17R. A T38 was on an ILS 17R approach. Apparently approach called and wanted local controller to change climb out instructions to the T38 to a northeast climb out. I observed the cherokee tag indicate a VFR aircraft. The T38 flew the length of runway 17R and started his climb out turn to the northeast. Cloud conditions over the airport were much lower than the weather observation indicated. I saw the T38 enter the clouds and I asked the ground controller if the cherokee was on an IFR clearance. He responded that he was local IFR and I told him that he should have been on an 'north' tag; i.e. The cherokee to indicate IFR status. The T38 turned slowly and slid to within a 1/2 mile of the cherokee. The local trainee was confused what could have been done because the radar controller had issued the climb out. I was told by the local control that the cherokee was supposed to be on runway heading and that would have provided initial separation. The cherokee had obviously had drifted or turned southeast and that caused the lack of separation. The ojti did not initiate action to prevent the event from occurring. I believe that the radar controller was not aware that the cloud bases were about 400 ft lower than the weather observation and that contributed to the event. I believe the inexperience of the ojti was one factor that led to the event. The failure to identify and pre-plan was the main factor. Our airport does not see many IFR situations and the relatively new cpc conducting ojti was an underlying factor. As tower controller in charge; I had just relieved another developmental who is tower controller in charge qualified. I was at fault also because I was not up to speed having just taken the position and should have immediately identified the situation developing. By the time the T38 entered the low cloud base departing; it was too late. The trainee indicated that he/she 'forgets' that he/she can call and coordinate with radar to assign another climb out. This however is the responsibility of the ojti. If the ojti would have either held the cherokee until after the T38 completed approach or had the T38 execute missed approach prior to the runway; the event would have been averted.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower CIC described a loss of separation event when the Local Controller Developmental was late in recognizing a developing conflict and the weather conditions; adding the instructor also failed to intervene as required.

Narrative: I was assigned Tower CIC position. After receiving a briefing; I took the position. Training was being conducted on Local and the Ground position. I observed Local clear a Cherokee depart Runway 17R. A T38 was on an ILS 17R Approach. Apparently Approach called and wanted Local Controller to change climb out instructions to the T38 to a northeast climb out. I observed the Cherokee tag indicate a VFR aircraft. The T38 flew the length of Runway 17R and started his climb out turn to the northeast. Cloud conditions over the airport were much lower than the weather observation indicated. I saw the T38 enter the clouds and I asked the Ground Controller if the Cherokee was on an IFR clearance. He responded that he was local IFR and I told him that he should have been on an 'N' tag; i.e. The Cherokee to indicate IFR status. The T38 turned slowly and slid to within a 1/2 mile of the Cherokee. The Local trainee was confused what could have been done because the RADAR Controller had issued the climb out. I was told by the Local Control that the Cherokee was supposed to be on runway heading and that would have provided initial separation. The Cherokee had obviously had drifted or turned southeast and that caused the lack of separation. The OJTI did not initiate action to prevent the event from occurring. I believe that the RADAR Controller was not aware that the cloud bases were about 400 FT lower than the weather observation and that contributed to the event. I believe the inexperience of the OJTI was one factor that led to the event. The failure to identify and pre-plan was the main factor. Our airport does not see many IFR situations and the relatively new CPC conducting OJTI was an underlying factor. As Tower CIC; I had just relieved another Developmental who is Tower CIC qualified. I was at fault also because I was not up to speed having just taken the position and should have immediately identified the situation developing. By the time the T38 entered the low cloud base departing; it was too late. The trainee indicated that he/she 'forgets' that he/she can call and coordinate with RADAR to assign another climb out. This however is the responsibility of the OJTI. If the OJTI would have either held the Cherokee until after the T38 completed approach or had the T38 execute missed approach prior to the runway; the event would have been averted.

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.