Deer Valley Airport (DVT) has experienced TCAS resolution advisory (RA) events due to aircraft flying through the assigned parallel runway final.

Attention has been focused on airports with closely spaced parallel runways because on July 17, 2022, at North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), a Piper Malibu PA-46, turning base leg to final runway 30L overshot, aligning for runway 30R when a Cessna Skyhawk C-172 was on a short right base for runway 30R. The airplanes collided approximately 0.25 nautical miles from the approach end of Runway 30R. Four fatalities occurred in this accident.

This midair collision is a stark reminder for both pilots and air traffic controllers of the safety risk posed when a pilot turning from base overshoots the extended centerline of the assigned runway during simultaneous parallel runway operations. During simultaneous parallel runway operations, it is imperative to fly base to final leg in a manner that minimizes or eliminates overshoot of the assigned runway extended centerline. It is also imperative that pilots visually acquire traffic and report the traffic in sight when it is issued by ATC.

Pilots navigating the airspace should consider the following when approaching the downwind, upwind, base, and final legs:

• Wind (tail or crosswind).
• Distance between parallel runways. Deer Valley Runways are 700 feet apart, centerline to centerline. The closer the parallels, the more critical the need for a ground track that does not overshoot the assigned runway extended centerline or drift into the parallel upwind during departure leg.
• Aircraft performance.
• Aircraft speed.
• Avoid Distraction.
• Listen and scan. Know the location of other traffic. Turning base to final can place the belly of the aircraft between your eyes and aircraft on the parallel final.
• If you overshoot final, communicate with ATC and consider initiating a go around.
• Stay very vigilant when extending downwind and upwind.
• If you are unsure, always verify any instructions with ATC.
• Plan ahead, get to know the airspace and airport layout.

 Learn more about DVT airspace and the airport by watching the DVT “From The Flight Deck” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xYS3Zyn3uA 

 Matthew Goguen

Air Traffic Manager, Deer Valley ATCT