Incident Overview
On Thursday, November 11, 2010, at approximately 1731 Eastern Standard Time, a Boeing 737-800 operating as Delta Air Lines Flight 654 (DAL654) and an Airbus A319 operating as Avianca Flight 287 (AVA287) were transiting Miami Air Traffic Control Center (ZMA) Class A airspace on opposite-direction crossing courses. The flight crews of both airplanes received Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) resolution advisories (RA). The incident occurred during daytime (dusk) visual meteorological conditions. There was no damage to either aircraft and no reported injuries.
History of the Flight
DAL654 was traveling northwest at flight level (FL) 370, and AVA287 was traveling southeast, climbing from FL360 to FL370. At about 1726, DAL654 entered ZMA Sector 21 airspace from the southeast. At about 1727, AVA287 entered Sector 21 from the northwest. Both flights were within Sector 21 but under the control of two different air traffic controllers: the radar controller for Sector 21 (R21) and the radar controller for Sector 2 (R2).
At 1728:09, the R21 controller completed a radar handoff of DAL654 to Sector 2 and transferred communications to the R2 controller. At that time, no conflict existed. Approximately one minute later, the R21 controller instructed AVA287 to climb from FL360 to FL370, placing the flight in direct conflict with DAL654.
At about 1730:03, as AVA287 climbed through FL366, the ZMA radar data processing system generated a conflict alert to both controllers. Simultaneously, the two crews received TCAS RAs. The R21 controller initially turned AVA287 to a heading of 090°, then amended to a right turn to heading 270°. The R2 controller directed DAL654 to turn right to heading 360°.
At 1730:23, the R21 controller instructed AVA287 to climb to FL390. The pilot did not respond. Radar data indicated the aircraft were approximately 10 miles laterally and 300 feet vertically apart (DAL654 at FL370, AVA287 at FL367). About twenty seconds later, the R21 controller issued a partial climb instruction that was not completed; the AVA287 pilot did not respond.
At 1730:31, the DAL654 pilot reported to the R2 controller that the flight was descending due to an RA and had traffic in sight. This was the only indication to controllers of a TCAS RA. DAL654 was advised of traffic at 12 o'clock, 5 miles, turning to a 270° heading.
At 1730:48, the R21 controller instructed AVA287 to report out of FL380. The pilot read back the altitude but was not provided traffic information. At 1730:49, radar data showed AVA287 at FL384 and DAL654 at FL364. The pilot of DAL654 reported leveling at FL360 and climbing back to FL370, resuming course to Ormond Beach. The AVA287 pilot reported the TCAS RA to the subsequent sector controller. Both flights continued without further incident.
Radar Data
Radar data was obtained from the Tamiami (ZQM8) ARSR-4 sensor located 17 miles southwest of Miami International Airport. The minimum separation between the aircraft was approximately 1,800 feet vertically and 2.81 miles laterally. A graphic overview of the flight paths and a close-up view of the minimum separation are contained in the ATC Group factual report added to the docket.
Additional Details
DAL654 was a scheduled passenger flight from Queen Beatrix International Airport (TNCA), Oranjestad, Aruba, to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia, operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121. AVA287 was a scheduled passenger flight from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Washington, DC, to El Dorado International Airport (SKBO), Bogotá, Colombia, operating under 14 Code of Federal Air Regulations Part 129.