M03 Controller voiced concern regarding another Controller's failure to keep MEM arrivals contained in Class B airspace and/or advising them they were exiting protected airspace.

Date: 2010-02 · Aircraft: Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng · Phase: approach

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

M03 Controller voiced concern regarding another Controller's failure to keep MEM arrivals contained in Class B airspace and/or advising them they were exiting protected airspace.

Narrative

I was working East and West departures combined during our morning inbound. The weather was solid IFR (300 OVC/1.5 VIS); so we were running simultaneous ILS approaches to Runway's 36L/R. The East Final Controller was descending aircraft below the Class B airspace either to ensure aircraft would be at 3000 feet; which is the altitude the East side is required to be at 1.5 miles from the localizer; or to get aircraft down to 2000 feet near the step down fixes to buy a little extra time to get established on the localizer; knowing that the West Final Controller's aircraft will be descending out of 4000 feet at the step down fix. There were other aircraft that were descended below the Class B; but I was not able to get the call signs because of my departure traffic. At no time were these aircraft informed they were leaving the Class B or advised they were back in the Class B. Our facility just had a Quality Assurance team in to verify the facility was correcting performance that was not in compliance with FAA orders; rules and regulations; as pointed out in a complaint. Taking jet and large turbo-prop aircraft out of the Class B without informing the pilot was one of the areas that our facility was cited. Our facility has done briefings on avoiding taking aircraft out of the Class B; and the phraseology needed if this is done; but nothing appears to be done to make on-the-spot corrections. On paper; our facility appears to be taking corrective action; but in reality; FAA orders; rules and regulations are still being violated.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.