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ZLA controller experienced operational error at FL350 when issuing a descent clearance to occupied altitude below.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 668309 |
| Time | |
| Date | 200508 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801 To 2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | atc facility : zob.artcc |
| State Reference | OH |
| Altitude | msl bound lower : 35000 msl bound upper : 36000 |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | IMC |
| Light | Dusk |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Controlling Facilities | artcc : zob.artcc |
| Operator | common carrier : air carrier |
| Make Model Name | B737-800 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | cruise : level |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Controlling Facilities | artcc : zob.artcc |
| Operator | common carrier : air carrier |
| Make Model Name | A319 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | descent : intermediate altitude |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Affiliation | government : faa |
| Function | controller : radar |
| Qualification | controller : radar |
| Experience | controller military : 10 controller radar : 5 controller time certified in position1 : 1 |
| ASRS Report | 668309 |
| Person 2 | |
| Affiliation | company : air carrier |
| Function | flight crew : captain oversight : pic |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | conflict : airborne less severe non adherence : required legal separation |
| Independent Detector | atc equipment : conflict alert other controllera |
| Resolutory Action | controller : issued alert controller : issued new clearance flight crew : took evasive action |
| Consequence | faa : investigated |
| Miss Distance | vertical : 700 |
| Supplementary | |
| Problem Areas | ATC Human Performance |
| Primary Problem | ATC Human Performance |
| Air Traffic Incident | Operational Error |
Narrative:
A319 was northbound at FL360. I had coordination with the sector below mine to see what altitude was available to descend A319 to. The other sector and I decided FL280 was good. I then descended the aircraft on top of B737; who was eastbound at FL350. When I realized my mistake; I told the A319 to stop and verify level at FL360. The A319 said he was level at FL360. I had the B737 data block in a '/3' position. When I looked at the A319 I guess I just didn't see the B737 until after.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: ZLA CTLR EXPERIENCED OPERROR AT FL350 WHEN ISSUING A DSCNT CLRNC TO OCCUPIED ALT BELOW.
Narrative: A319 WAS NBOUND AT FL360. I HAD COORD WITH THE SECTOR BELOW MINE TO SEE WHAT ALT WAS AVAILABLE TO DSND A319 TO. THE OTHER SECTOR AND I DECIDED FL280 WAS GOOD. I THEN DSNDED THE ACFT ON TOP OF B737; WHO WAS EBOUND AT FL350. WHEN I REALIZED MY MISTAKE; I TOLD THE A319 TO STOP AND VERIFY LEVEL AT FL360. THE A319 SAID HE WAS LEVEL AT FL360. I HAD THE B737 DATA BLOCK IN A '/3' POS. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE A319 I GUESS I JUST DIDN'T SEE THE B737 UNTIL AFTER.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 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.