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ZDC controller described a loss of separation event when traffic descended without clearance during multiple weather deviations.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1019692 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201207 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZDC.ARTCC |
| State Reference | VA |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Enroute |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence |
Narrative:
There was a rapidly closing gap between two large areas of precipitation on the east and west sides of my sector. Aircraft X called and asked for 35;000 ft. I told aircraft X that there was traffic off the left wing and to their 12 o'clock; both deviating through the same weather that aircraft X was in. Aircraft X reiterated that they needed lower and I called traffic on the 737 at their 12 o'clock; asking them to wait two minutes. They then said that they had to descend now; and I told them that I could not authorize a descent. Aircraft X then descended to 35;000 ft; and conflict alert went off. I asked aircraft X if they were declaring an emergency; and they said yes. I asked them if they could hold at 35;000 ft; because I didn't know why they were descending and there was additional traffic ahead at 27;000 ft. I then handed off aircraft X and switched them to the wilmington-35 controller's frequency. The pilot made a decision based on factors that they didn't share with me; and I told them repeatedly that I could not authorize their descent.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: ZDC Controller described a loss of separation event when traffic descended without clearance during multiple weather deviations.
Narrative: There was a rapidly closing gap between two large areas of precipitation on the east and west sides of my sector. Aircraft X called and asked for 35;000 FT. I told Aircraft X that there was traffic off the left wing and to their 12 o'clock; both deviating through the same weather that Aircraft X was in. Aircraft X reiterated that they needed lower and I called traffic on the 737 at their 12 o'clock; asking them to wait two minutes. They then said that they had to descend now; and I told them that I could not authorize a descent. Aircraft X then descended to 35;000 FT; and Conflict Alert went off. I asked Aircraft X if they were declaring an emergency; and they said yes. I asked them if they could hold at 35;000 FT; because I didn't know why they were descending and there was additional traffic ahead at 27;000 FT. I then handed off Aircraft X and switched them to the Wilmington-35 controller's frequency. The pilot made a decision based on factors that they didn't share with me; and I told them repeatedly that I could not authorize their descent.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.