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ZMA controller reported of a conflict between two aircraft. Controller received an aircraft with a conditional clearance to descend. Minutes later the pilot reports leaving cruise altitude for new altitude. Conflict alert immediately goes off due to traffic 2;000 feet below. Controller stops aircraft altitude and issues traffic. Reporter stated this all happened in another sector and should have been resolved first; before the transfer of communications.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1334168 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201602 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZMA.ARTCC |
| State Reference | FL |
| Environment | |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737-800 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Make Model Name | MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Enroute |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Experience | Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
Yesterday; I was working sector 20 and aircraft X checked in at FL360 with a clearance to cross osogy at FL240. About 5 minutes later; aircraft X advises that he was beginning his descent to FL240 and I rogered him. Out of nowhere conflict alert activates and I tell aircraft X to amend altitude and maintain FL330. Aircraft X initially did not respond and I told him again amend altitude maintain FL330 and he responded. There was crossing traffic at his 11 to 12 o'clock and less than a mile at FL320 (aircraft Y). Aircraft X had been given a descent clearance from the previous sector; sector 2; to FL240 with converging traffic at FL320.I really think something needs to be done about the safety culture and the quality of air traffic controllers. The particular controller working sector 2; this is not his first close call and I feel nowadays there's just no accountability or consequences for subpar performances. I had no idea that aircraft Y was on a converging course with aircraft X because my sector owns sfc-230 and I don't see limited data blocks until FL242. Needless to say; yesterday's close call scared the living hell out of me because it happened all of a sudden and again I had no idea that aircraft X was there. It's sector 2's responsibility to ensure all conflicts are resolved in their air stratum before transferring communications to my frequency. Again; this is this controller's second close call in less than a month! Something really needs to be done before her actions result in a catastrophic event!
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: ZMA Controller reported of a conflict between two aircraft. Controller received an aircraft with a conditional clearance to descend. Minutes later the pilot reports leaving cruise altitude for new altitude. Conflict alert immediately goes off due to traffic 2;000 feet below. Controller stops aircraft altitude and issues traffic. Reporter stated this all happened in another sector and should have been resolved first; before the transfer of communications.
Narrative: Yesterday; I was working Sector 20 and Aircraft X checked in at FL360 with a clearance to cross OSOGY at FL240. About 5 minutes later; Aircraft X advises that he was beginning his descent to FL240 and I rogered him. Out of nowhere conflict alert activates and I tell Aircraft X to amend altitude and maintain FL330. Aircraft X initially did not respond and I told him again amend altitude maintain FL330 and he responded. There was crossing traffic at his 11 to 12 o'clock and less than a mile at FL320 (Aircraft Y). Aircraft X had been given a descent clearance from the previous sector; Sector 2; to FL240 with converging traffic at FL320.I really think something needs to be done about the safety culture and the quality of air traffic controllers. The particular controller working Sector 2; this is not his first close call and I feel nowadays there's just no accountability or consequences for subpar performances. I had no idea that Aircraft Y was on a converging course with Aircraft X because my sector owns SFC-230 and I don't see limited data blocks until FL242. Needless to say; yesterday's close call scared the living hell out of me because it happened all of a sudden and again I had no idea that Aircraft X was there. It's Sector 2's responsibility to ensure all conflicts are resolved in their air stratum before transferring communications to my frequency. Again; this is this controller's second close call in less than a month! Something really needs to be done before her actions result in a catastrophic event!
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.