ZDC controllers reported during a busy complex period; issuing a descent clearance resulting activat...

Attributes
ACN	1532879
Time
Date	201804
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZDC.ARTCC
State Reference	VA
Environment
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Person 2
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

Narrative:

It was the start of the arrival push; and my last session for the day after a quick turn. I felt there was excessive datablock overlap in the northwest corner. After an evaluation; I noticed the aircraft X at FL350 needed to begin their descent in able to make their restrictions on the STAR. Other distractions exacerbated the situation such as; an aircraft requesting lower with traffic in front of him; another controller yelling over the landline for a handoff; I was trying to brief my d-side that just sat down; and I was scanning the numerous arrivals coming to me that I had to provide miles in trail for. I scanned and then descended him. After the conflict alert went off; I realized there was aircraft Y at FL340 10 miles away. I thought my only option was to expedite aircraft X under him and turn aircraft Y. I didn't take into consideration the winds and the turn I issued made it worse. Aircraft X reported a TCAS resolution advisory and I refrained from giving any more clearance. I became flustered seeing how close the targets became during the event and had a poor recovery as a result.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZDC Controllers reported during a busy complex period; issuing a descent clearance resulting activating both conflict alert; and the aircraft RA's. Controller reported declining proficiency level due to other duties; and poor ability to recover from ATC conflict situations.

Narrative: It was the start of the arrival push; and my last session for the day after a quick turn. I felt there was excessive datablock overlap in the northwest corner. After an evaluation; I noticed the Aircraft X at FL350 needed to begin their descent in able to make their restrictions on the STAR. Other distractions exacerbated the situation such as; an aircraft requesting lower with traffic in front of him; another controller yelling over the landline for a handoff; I was trying to brief my D-side that just sat down; and I was scanning the numerous arrivals coming to me that I had to provide miles in trail for. I scanned and then descended him. After the conflict alert went off; I realized there was Aircraft Y at FL340 10 miles away. I thought my only option was to expedite Aircraft X under him and turn Aircraft Y. I didn't take into consideration the winds and the turn I issued made it worse. Aircraft X reported a TCAS Resolution Advisory and I refrained from giving any more clearance. I became flustered seeing how close the targets became during the event and had a poor recovery as a result.

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.

ZDC controllers reported during a busy complex period; issuing a descent clearance resulting activating both conflict alert; and the aircraft RA's. Controller reported declining proficiency level due to other duties; and poor ability to recover from ATC conflict situations.