An untracked, unidentified aircraft was noted within the controller's area, identified as a Mode C intruder.
Synopsis
An untracked, unidentified aircraft was noted within the controller's area, identified as a Mode C intruder.
Narrative
Rewritten in plain English from NASA’s original all-caps telegraphic report — facts, figures, and terminology preserved.
Aircraft was untracked, unidentified at flight level 350. I observed the limited data, a Mode C intruder inside ZKC airspace, then took the steps to have the aircraft identified.
The only way this is discovered is if the controller working a given position notices the Mode C intruder in or around his/her airspace. The constantly increasing traffic loads often does not allow the controller to constantly scan for unknown traffic. This is a very rare occurrence, and is not taught or mentioned at any time. I would encourage training or some type of notice being published which makes the controller aware of the possibility of a Mode C intruder incident.
Show the original NASA report (verbatim, telegraphic)
ACFT WAS UNTRACKED; UNIDENTED AT FL350. I OBSERVED THE LIMITED DATA; A MODE C INTRUDER INSIDE ZKC AIRSPACE; THEN TOOK THE STEPS TO HAVE THE ACFT IDENTED. THE ONLY WAY THIS IS DISCOVERED IS IF THE CTLR WORKING A GIVEN POS NOTICES THE MODE C INTRUDER IN OR AROUND HIS/HER AIRSPACE. THE CONSTANTLY INCREASING TFC LOADS OFTEN DOES NOT ALLOW THE CTLR TO CONSTANTLY SCAN FOR UNKNOWN TFC. THIS IS A VERY RARE OCCURRENCE; AND IS NOT TAUGHT OR MENTIONED AT ANY TIME. I WOULD ENCOURAGE TRAINING OR SOME TYPE OF NOTICE BEING PUBLISHED WHICH MAKES THE CTLR AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A MODE C INTRUDER INCIDENT.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.