Recent Near Mid-Air Collision Report - Hillsboro OR Vicinity

You are receiving this information as a user of the National Air Space System who operates in the vicinity of Hillsboro Airport (HIO).  This information is intended as an educational tool to increase safety through awareness, and as a means to mitigate risk.

During the summer of 2015 there were three filed near mid-air collision (NMAC) reports in the vicinity of HIO involving gliders and aircraft participating in air traffic control services.   One NMAC involved a VFR Mooney and a glider operating 5 nautical miles north of the North Plains Gliderport (1OR4).  Two NMACs included high performance turbo jets departing HIO and gliders operating near HETAT waypoint. The NMACs occurred at 2600, 2800, and 5000 feet.

In one instance the glider was operating with a mode C transponder and was visible to air traffic control on radar.  In the other two instances the gliders were not utilizing a transponder and thus did not produce a consistently visible radar return.  In the latter two instances the air traffic controllers did not observe a pending conflict on their radar display. 

HETAT waypoint is part of the HIO BERNI and CHISM instrument departure procedures.  HETAT waypoint is approximately 4 nautical miles west of HIO airport.  In reference to the ground HETAT is near the intersection of Susbauer and Wren Roads.  This area includes a large cluster of greenhouses which provide thermal lift desirable to the glider community.  On occasion this thermal lift can carry a glider as high as 10,000 feet, making this a popular location.  Another popular glider location is the area often referred to as the “Y”.  The “Y” is the junction of Highways 26 and 6, which provides lift from the concrete and asphalt that make up the interchange.

HIO IFR departure aircraft often utilize the BERNI, CHISM, and FARMINGTON Standard Instrument Departure Procedures.  These procedures include a sweeping left turn to the south after departure from Runway 31L.  During this left turn aircraft are “belly up” to the greenhouses and the “Y” intersection.  In addition flight crews are looking into the sun during late afternoon departures.  This makes for a difficult environment to observe gliders that may be operating in tight circles while tracking thermals upward.  In both NMAC reports the IFR flight crew indicated they did not see the glider until it was too late to take evasive action.  In all three instances the IFR/VFR aircraft and the gliders were in airspace they had the legal right to operate within.

Currently HIO Tower receives notification from the Willamette Valley Soaring Club when glider operations commence for the day at the North Plains Gliderport.  HIO Tower then includes a statement on the HIO ATIS denoting glider activity in the area.  When you hear this statement on the HIO ATIS I encourage you to maintain extra vigilance for glider operations and be familiar with popular glider areas.  I also encourage gliders to utilize transponders, be familiar with HIO IFR and VFR traffic patterns, and monitor PDX approach control frequencies.

A System Service Review was conducted by Portland Approach Control after the first NMAC.  This review included various user groups from Hillsboro Airport, Willamette Valley Soaring Club, Hillsboro Flight Standards District Office, and Hillsboro Air Traffic Control Tower.  Ideas and concerns were shared by all during this review.  One of the consensus determinations made in the review was an educational piece, thus the sharing of this information.  

Attached you will find a diagram of the “hot spot” around HETAT waypoint, screen shots of a radar display showing a glider squawking 1202, and Instrument Departure Procedures utilized by IFR aircraft at HIO.  Also included is a power point developed by the FAA’s Rocky Mountain District, resultant of similar events occurring in the Denver area.

Portland Approach Control in conjunction with Hillsboro Tower, and Hillsboro FSDO plan to conduct briefings for user groups that operate in and around the vicinity of HIO airport.  These briefings will be similar to those provided to the air traffic controllers at Portland Approach.   Please look for announcements regarding pilot briefing location and times. 

Link to File with Diagrams: link