A lax ground controller and an air carrier pilot describe a conflict that developed when a ramp cont...

Attributes
ACN	949977
Time
Date	201105
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	LAX.Tower
State Reference	CA
Environment
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Large Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Small Transport Low Wing 2 Turboprop Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Ground
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Non Radar 23
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 210 Flight Crew Total 13000 Flight Crew Type 5000
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Ground Conflict Critical

Narrative:

Lax has many ramp towers operated by the airlines. One large aircraft was holding short of C6; two commuter aircraft were taxiing via C to C6 to B in front of the large aircraft. The large aircraft was waiting for an rj in the C6 alley and was instructed to wait at C6 for the rj to taxi out of the C6 alley and then taxi to its gate. I witnessed the large aircraft starting a turn towards their gate. Unfortunately; the first commuter was about to transfer from C to C6 at the same time. Fortunately; I was able to stop the large aircraft and avert an incident. I notified the supervisor who queried the ramp tower. The ramp said that they told the large aircraft crew that the rj was waiting for them and that they could taxi in and to notify ground control 1 (me) that this was their plan. The large aircraft crew never notified me. Additionally; this scenario has played out time and time again. Each time we ask the tower(s) it's the same old story e.g. 'Blame the pilot.' each time this happens brings us closer to an actual accident. Lax needs to discontinue the use of ramp towers. They were important pre- 911 when their purpose to alleviate frequency congestion was warranted.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A LAX Ground Controller and an Air Carrier pilot describe a conflict that developed when a Ramp Controllers and an ATC Ground Controller do not communicate about aircraft taxi routing in a congested ramp area.

Narrative: LAX has many Ramp Towers operated by the Airlines. One large aircraft was holding short of C6; two commuter aircraft were taxiing via C to C6 to B in front of the large aircraft. The large aircraft was waiting for an RJ in the C6 alley and was instructed to wait at C6 for the RJ to taxi out of the C6 alley and then taxi to its gate. I witnessed the large aircraft starting a turn towards their gate. Unfortunately; the first commuter was about to transfer from C to C6 at the same time. Fortunately; I was able to stop the large aircraft and avert an incident. I notified the Supervisor who queried the Ramp Tower. The Ramp said that they told the large aircraft crew that the RJ was waiting for them and that they could taxi in and to notify Ground Control 1 (me) that this was their plan. The large aircraft crew never notified me. Additionally; this scenario has played out time and time again. Each time we ask the Tower(s) it's the same old story e.g. 'Blame the Pilot.' Each time this happens brings us closer to an actual accident. LAX needs to discontinue the use of Ramp Towers. They were important pre- 911 when their purpose to alleviate frequency congestion was warranted.

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.

A lax ground controller and an air carrier pilot describe a conflict that developed when a ramp controllers and an ATC ground controller do not communicate about aircraft taxi routing in a congested ramp area.