2011-08 · NASA ASRS report 963532
ZID Controller reported a loss of separation event immediately after traffic was transferred even though immediate vectors were initiated; the reporter suggesting the involved procedure is in need of review.
There were large areas of thunderstorms scattered throughout ZID. Traffic was busy and complex due to deviations and aircraft on weather routes. I was working UNV HI RADAR; and I had a D-Side. I had been busy since I sat down with the thunderstorms compressing traffic into airspace without weather. I took the hand off on a B767-300 at FL310; the B767-300 was northeast bound in CRW HI's airspace. I was scanning the sector; observing what needed to be done. My eyes were instantly averted to B767-300 flashing Conflict Alert with a MD88 at FL310 westbound in CRW HI's airspace. The aircraft were ten miles apart and heading towards each other. I called the B767-300; they answered me and just then CRW HI called and said to turn the B767-300 thirty degrees left. I told the B767-300 to turn thirty degrees left and called a traffic alert for a MD88. The B767-300 responded that he was receiving an RA to descend. The B767-300 descended to FL305. The B767-300 then reported clear of the traffic and then climbing to FL310. I cleared the B767-300 back on course direct PSB. Separation was lost with the B767-300 and the MD88 by the CRW HI RADAR Controller. Thirty degrees was not going to save separation; but it was a plan to save lives. I don't know what the altitude separation was between the aircraft; but I think they had a bit more than three miles laterally. TCAS was very instrumental in assisting the aircraft to a safe situation. I don't know if the CRW HI Controller had a tracker; but it probably would have been a good day for one. The MD88 was a CVG arrival. I do not know what prohibited the CRW HI Controller from descending the MD88 to keep separation. I don't know the reasoning as to why CRW HI accepted the hand off on CVG arrivals from Washington Center at FL320; but it always seems that the CVG arrivals are always in confliction with another aircraft that is southwest or northeast bound. CRW HI usually descends the CVG arrivals to ensure separation. This area is very complex. Maybe this error will allow management to evaluate the CVG arrival procedures from Washington Center.
A B767-300 direct PSB was handed-off and given a frequency change to Sector 77. A MD88 was handed off by Sector 79 at FL320. The MD88 was descended to FL310 on check-on overlooking the B767-300 as traffic. Conflict Alert initiated when the MD88 was at FL313 descending. I gave the MD88 a thirty degree turn to go behind the B767-300. I called Sector 77 to have them turn the B767-300 left as well. The MD88 then reported responding to an RA and climbing. Sector 77 called back and advised the B767-300 was descending. The MD88 reported at FL318 and beginning descent. I cleared the MD88 to maintain FL320. When the B767-300 was well clear I gave the MD88 a descent to FL310 and direct BRUSH on his route.In this situation; the only recommendation I have is a thorough scan of ALL pertinent traffic. I overlooked a piece of traffic and the proximity and short amount of time after Conflict Alert made obtaining standard separation difficult. The aircraft responding to TCAS RA also negated altitude alternatives. The best possible solution was to have left the MD88 at FL320 over top the B767-300 if traffic scan had been effective.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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