Date: 201408
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: SVN.Airport, GA
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Helicopter
Operator: Military
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Flight phase: Final Approach
Airspace: Class C SAV
ATC / advisory: TRACON SAV
Second aircraft: Helicopter
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Approach
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Procedure; Human Factors; Airspace Structure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: While working South Radar sector (SR); Aircraft X had completed VFR maneuvers south of SAV/SVN and was on vectors to the ILS28 approach at SVN. While on base leg a second VFR target which had been maneuvering/flying ENE of SVN in North Radars airspace; began a south bound turn in the vicinity of the Tybee Island Lighthouse. Aircraft conducting VFR work in the vicinity of the lighthouse is not uncommon; but as I got closer to my turn to final; I noticed that the target continued to track southbound directly towards Aircraft X on base leg. I called traffic and started the turn; dog leg to final; when the collision alert sounded. The collision alert was issued and the pilot of Aircraft X announced that the Aircraft Y appeared to also be joining the final/localizer. I advised him to take evasive action as needed. I contacted SVN Tower and asked if they knew who Aircraft Y was. SVN Controller advised me that he was 'breaking my guy out' and that he'd follow me! SVN does not have any airspace beyond 5 miles from their airport but has been caught vectoring for the ILS before; usually at 1;500 FT which their GCA can do if they request the GCA pattern. That was not done; yet this aircraft appeared to be vectored on an opposing base leg to my aircraft at the same altitude in my airspace by the SVN Controller. I cannot stress enough how frustrating it is to have one of my instrument approach aircraft nearly whacked out of the sky by an Army controlled aircraft in FAA airspace. The arrogance and non-compliance with national and local procedures by that Army facility is of historic proportion; yet pretty much unchecked. It is only a matter of time before the successfully kill an aircrew or two. We hope the debris field doesn't injure any additional innocents. The flight crew of Aircraft X did an excellent job of taking evasive action and could easily be commended for avoiding such a debris field on Tybee Island. The FAA should prohibit the SVN Control Tower from working any aircraft in any kind of radar pattern. Make the Army sign off and comply. This Army facility has a competent GCA that is not in the Tower and they can function in compliance with the LOA; but the Tower should be banned from anything similar. This Controller should be retrained and better supervised!




Synopsis: SAV Controller reports of a airborne conflict caused by SVN Tower vectoring aircraft in his airspace.