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Center controller reported an altitude excursion and referenced wearing a mask may have muffled the transmission.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1753069 |
| Time | |
| Date | 202007 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Light Transport |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Enroute |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Experience | Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4.5 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
Aircraft X was given a descent to FL330. After switching the aircraft to sector xy I observed the datablock display altitudes below 330. Upon calling the controller; they stated that they were unsure of what the aircraft was doing. Subsequently; I called sector yy that had previously approved a point out on the aircraft and received approval for control for lower. I believe the pilot gave me a good readback.I am unsure of whether I was wearing a mask at the time or not as activity in the area fluctuates; and social distancing cannot be maintained; my mask comes and goes. It is plausible that I was wearing a mask at the time. Despite; what I felt was a good readback; I could foresee my words being muffled due to wearing a mask. Therefore; it is possible that a pilot could mishear what I said.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Center Controller reported an altitude excursion and referenced wearing a mask may have muffled the transmission.
Narrative: Aircraft X was given a descent to FL330. After switching the aircraft to sector XY I observed the datablock display altitudes below 330. Upon calling the Controller; they stated that they were unsure of what the aircraft was doing. Subsequently; I called sector YY that had previously approved a point out on the aircraft and received approval for control for lower. I believe the pilot gave me a good readback.I am unsure of whether I was wearing a mask at the time or not as activity in the area fluctuates; and social distancing cannot be maintained; my mask comes and goes. It is plausible that I was wearing a mask at the time. Despite; what I felt was a good readback; I could foresee my words being muffled due to wearing a mask. Therefore; it is possible that a pilot could mishear what I said.
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.