Narrative:

Aircraft X was a survey aircraft doing east/west runs over tpa. When the aircraft passed over tpa I noticed that the data block disappeared along with the radar target. This aircraft was in conflict with all tpa downwind traffic and the loss of the track was a major safety risk. When I brought it to the attention to the flm on duty I was advised that this had happened several times before I took the position.whatever caused this lapse in radar coverage needs to be addressed to maintain the safety of the NAS. Here at tpa we have been trying to get several stars (standard terminal automation replacement system) issues resolved including ghost targets; frequent false starts on aircraft still on the ground and aircraft who have landed reacquiring. These issues increase controller workload and introduce risk into the NAS.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: TPA TRACON Controller reported of losing a data block along with the primary target. The aircraft was in conflict with the downwind traffic. Reporter advised the FLM; who told him this had happened several times before he took the position. Controller would like this looked into to avoid it from happening again.

Narrative: Aircraft X was a survey aircraft doing east/west runs over TPA. When the aircraft passed over TPA I noticed that the data block disappeared along with the radar target. This aircraft was in conflict with all TPA downwind traffic and the loss of the track was a major safety risk. When I brought it to the attention to the FLM on duty I was advised that this had happened several times before I took the position.Whatever caused this lapse in radar coverage needs to be addressed to maintain the safety of the NAS. Here at TPA we have been trying to get several STARS (Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System) issues resolved including ghost targets; frequent false starts on aircraft still on the ground and aircraft who have landed reacquiring. These issues increase controller workload and introduce risk into the NAS.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.