ZDV controller and the flight crew involved reported they did not comply with a clearance to be leve...

Narrative:

I was the controller training on the sector. The traffic volume and complexity began to pick up due to turbulent ride conditions and an aircraft that I was in communication with making accidental transmissions over guard which indicated a medical problem on board. Aircraft X came onto the frequency after taking the handoff from sector 07. Upon check-on aircraft X asked about ride conditions at 37000 feet. I responded that 37000 feet was reporting occasional light chop and aircraft X then requested a climb to that altitude. I observed traffic in front of aircraft X opposite direction at 36000 feet and gave aircraft X a clearance to climb to reach 37000 feet in 2 minutes or less. The pilot read back the clearance correctly and at this point had 40 miles of separation with 3 minutes before 5 miles of separation would be lost. At this time I began trying to gather information on what was potentially a medical emergency being broadcast over guard by another aircraft whom I also had on my frequency. Scanning back to aircraft X the climb rate indicated he would easily make his restriction but after a few more transmissions I observed that aircraft X had leveled out at 36600 feet. After observing this; I issued aircraft Y a descent to 35000 feet to achieve separation but the pilot than hesitated saying; 'descending in response to a TCAS.' aircraft Y at this time had still not actually began a descent according to our radar display and my trainer than keyed up to issue a descent clearance once more. The aircraft broke required separation with 4.7 miles and 800 feet. Aircraft X reached 37000 feet 3:20 minutes after reading back the restriction. In this event; I would like that the pilot be instructed that if he cannot meet a climb restriction to advise as soon as possible so an alternative action can be taken immediately.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZDV Controller and the flight crew involved reported they did not comply with a clearance to be level at an altitude in two minutes or less. A loss of separation with opposite direction traffic resulted.

Narrative: I was the controller training on the sector. The traffic volume and complexity began to pick up due to turbulent ride conditions and an aircraft that I was in communication with making accidental transmissions over guard which indicated a medical problem on board. Aircraft X came onto the frequency after taking the handoff from Sector 07. Upon check-on Aircraft X asked about ride conditions at 37000 feet. I responded that 37000 feet was reporting occasional light chop and Aircraft X then requested a climb to that altitude. I observed traffic in front of Aircraft X opposite direction at 36000 feet and gave Aircraft X a clearance to climb to reach 37000 feet in 2 minutes or less. The pilot read back the clearance correctly and at this point had 40 miles of separation with 3 minutes before 5 miles of separation would be lost. At this time I began trying to gather information on what was potentially a medical emergency being broadcast over guard by another aircraft whom I also had on my frequency. Scanning back to Aircraft X the climb rate indicated he would easily make his restriction but after a few more transmissions I observed that Aircraft X had leveled out at 36600 feet. After observing this; I issued Aircraft Y a descent to 35000 feet to achieve separation but the pilot than hesitated saying; 'Descending in response to a TCAS.' Aircraft Y at this time had still not actually began a descent according to our RADAR display and my trainer than keyed up to issue a descent clearance once more. The aircraft broke required separation with 4.7 miles and 800 feet. Aircraft X reached 37000 feet 3:20 minutes after reading back the restriction. In this event; I would like that the pilot be instructed that if he cannot meet a climb restriction to advise as soon as possible so an alternative action can be taken immediately.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1416806
Time
Date	201701
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZDV.ARTCC
State Reference	CO
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Large Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Large Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Trainee Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Developmental
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Type 886
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met Deviation - Altitude Undershoot Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

ZDV controller and the flight crew involved reported they did not comply with a clearance to be level at an altitude in two minutes or less. A loss of separation with opposite direction traffic resulted.