N90 TRACON controller described a loss of separation event between two air carrier arrivals when the...

Attributes
ACN	1131754
Time
Date	201311
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	N90.TRACON
State Reference	NY
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	B737-800
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Supervisor / CIC
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

Narrative:

Lga advertised lda-a approach. A B737-800 vectored across lda-a final approach course and then cleared for a visual approach (vap) to runway 22. A crj-200 on downwind being vectored to follow the B737-800. Instead of proceeding visually direct to the runway with weather not a factor; the B737-800 unexpectedly turned away from the runway back towards the lda-a final approach course. Separation was lost with the crj-200 who was being vectored downwind to the expected vap flight path. Recommendation; when cleared for a visual approach; aircraft should be required to fly the most direct route to the runway when practical. When unable to do so; pilot should inform ATC of their intentions.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: N90 TRACON Controller described a loss of separation event between two air carrier arrivals when the first; cleared for a visual approach; made an unexpected turn causing the event.

Narrative: LGA advertised LDA-A approach. A B737-800 vectored across LDA-A final approach course and then cleared for a visual approach (VAP) to Runway 22. A CRJ-200 on downwind being vectored to follow the B737-800. Instead of proceeding visually direct to the runway with weather not a factor; the B737-800 unexpectedly turned away from the runway back towards the LDA-A final approach course. Separation was lost with the CRJ-200 who was being vectored downwind to the expected VAP flight path. Recommendation; when cleared for a visual approach; aircraft should be required to fly the most direct route to the runway when practical. When unable to do so; pilot should inform ATC of their intentions.

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.

N90 TRACON controller described a loss of separation event between two air carrier arrivals when the first; cleared for a visual approach; made an unexpected turn causing the event.