CPR X had less than standard separation from MLT Y due to a system error.

Narrative

Rewritten in plain English from NASA’s original all-caps telegraphic report — facts, figures, and terminology preserved.

I was working combined sectors very complex and busy requested sector split; not done for several minutes; after coordinating with receiving controller switched CPR X and MLT Y to 124.57 the wrong frequency. They were 120 miles apart at that time. The sector that received them acknowledged their call and no further action taken. 4 minutes later the receiving sector realized the aircraft were in conflict and attempted to turn them apart. Finally the back controller turned MLT X to a 180 heading; aircraft passed with 2.5 miles; at FL410. The supervisor should have listened to the controller and split the sector this would have prevented a complex and dangerous situation from developing.

I switched them to the wrong frequency; controller that received the aircraft did not follow procedures and return them to me. CPR X was at FL410 wrong altitude for direction because of moderate turbulence at FL390. Supplemental info from ACN 164622. Super high sectors were just split out from high sector. MLT Y was at FL410 eastbound; CPR X was at FL410 westbound; wrong for direction due to turbulence. Wrong for direction was approved at the time the military route of flight was not a factor. Military route was changed but was not updated. This created a head on situation. The situation was briefed to the super high controllers taking over the airspace. The aircraft were inadvertently put on the wrong frequencies.

Supplemental info from ACN 164430. CPR X was cruising southwestbound at FL410. We were told to contact ZID on frequency 124.57. It took several calls before he acknowledged us. This controller seemed busy and preoccupied with checking his radio. I looked out the window and saw a MLT Y at about my 10 o'clock position in a right turn at our altitude. I did not have to take evasive action as he had already done so. We immediately contacted controller on our assigned frequency of 124.57. He sounded surprised and said we should be on 124.62 and to contact them. When we contacted controller on 124.62 he said he had been trying to contact us for several minutes. We had not been given his frequency of 124.62 prior to the incident.