# NTSB OPS24LA011: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, N857PA, North Las Vegas, NV, December 9, 2023

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 9, 2023, 11:06 local (19:06 UTC)
- Place: North Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.211268, -115.19968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2113&lon=-115.1997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Near midair/TCAS alert/loss of separation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/260); [Initial climb: Near midair/TCAS alert/loss of separation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/260)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2025
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Operational Factors Division
- Parties: NATCA, FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OPS24LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OPS24LA011

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The local controller’s loss of situational awareness, inadequate provision of traffic advisory or safety alert information, and lack of positive control, that resulted in a near-midair collision.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: expectation/assumption](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041525): Personnel issues › Action/decision · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041525/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041525/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · ATC personnel (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Near midair/TCAS alert/loss of separation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/260) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/260/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/260/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Air traffic event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100/sequence.md?model=2990001), [All aircraft, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Near midair/TCAS alert/loss of separation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/260) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/260/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/260/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Air traffic event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

A Robinson R-44 helicopter N744AF, VW02 (View 02), and a Diamond DA20-C1 Eclipse, N857PA were involved in a near midair collision (NMAC) approximately 1.7 miles west of the North Las Vegas Airport (VGT). At the time of the incident the VGT airport traffic control tower (ATCT) was staffed by two controllers with three personnel available. The local control 1 (LC1), local control 2 (LC2), local assist (LA1), and controller in charge (CIC) positions were all combined to the LC1 position. The ground control (GC), flight data (FD), and clearance delivery (CD) positions were combined at the GC position. According to ATC audio recordings and post event interviews, the LC1 controller had instructed N857PA to enter left traffic for runway 30L. About 25 seconds later, VW02 requested a west departure from the transient ramp and the LC1 controller advised departure would be at their own risk. About three minutes later, VW02 and N857PA experienced a NMAC after VW02 had departed to the west and N857PA was on a southeast heading, approaching the mid-field left downwind position for runway 30L.The LC1 controller’s expectation that VW02 would have departed sooner led to an inadequate scan and loss of situational awareness. Additionally, the LC1 controller did not provide adequate or timely traffic advisory or safety alert information to either aircraft as required in FAA Order JO 7110.65AA, Air Traffic Control.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N857PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N857PA), registered now, S/N C0218, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA20-C1
- Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da20-c1) (registry code 2990001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-240 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-240-series) (registry code 17063, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: C0218
- Year built: 2003
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-240 SER 128 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Operator: Diamond Aircraft Sales Of Kentucky LLC
- Registered owner: Diamond Aircraft Sales Of Kentucky LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Destination: Same as departure
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N744AF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N744AF), registered now, S/N 1955, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-F1B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (registry code 42353, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1955
- Year built: 2008
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Operator: Skyline Helicopter Tours LLC
- Registered owner: Skyline Helicopter Tours LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Flight plan: VFR
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.48 inHg
- Icing: Unknown
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: KVGT
- METAR: METAR KVGT 091853Z 34008KT 10SM CLR 11/M13 A3048 RMK AO2 SLP343 T01061128=

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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