 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
K90 controller described a failed hand off involving a VFR aircraft entering pvd's airspace; the reporter claiming the K90 ASR-8 radar has been dropping targets for some time and needs repair.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 901403 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201007 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | K90.TRACON |
| State Reference | MA |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Caravan Undifferentiated |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | VFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Approach |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types |
Narrative:
A C208 was receiving VFR advisories from east to the west at approximately 4;500 ft. The aircraft went into coast several times. The location of the coast was approximately the fmh 170R 15 DME through the fmh 230R 25 DME. This is a common occurrence. Normally; I flash aircraft to the maintenance scope (east) to ensure they do not drop off. With this aircraft; I did not. Pvd approach called on the shout line and stated 'C208 is radar.' I looked over to the airspace boundary line and C208 was in 'coast (CST).' the aircraft was about over the falma intersection. I am not sure if the data tag drop off and re-acquired; or if it had been in coast for a while and the updates of the position were sporadic. Moments after the pvd call; the target re-acquired and I flashed the data tag at pvd and they accepted the hand-off. This occurred after the VFR aircraft had already entered into pvd airspace. I did not call the aircraft radar contact lost. I believe the primary target existed the entire time. The K90 ASR-8 has been dropping targets for months/years. This same situation very well could have happened with an IFR aircraft; as this is approximately the same location/altitude the aircraft would have been at had the aircraft been on an IFR flight plan. Recommendation; fix the ASR-8.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: K90 Controller described a failed hand off involving a VFR aircraft entering PVD's airspace; the reporter claiming the K90 ASR-8 RADAR has been dropping targets for some time and needs repair.
Narrative: A C208 was receiving VFR advisories from East to the West at approximately 4;500 FT. The aircraft went into coast several times. The location of the coast was approximately the FMH 170R 15 DME through the FMH 230R 25 DME. This is a common occurrence. Normally; I flash aircraft to the maintenance scope (E) to ensure they do not drop off. With this aircraft; I did not. PVD approach called on the shout line and stated 'C208 is RADAR.' I looked over to the airspace boundary line and C208 was in 'Coast (CST).' The aircraft was about over the FALMA intersection. I am not sure if the data tag drop off and re-acquired; or if it had been in coast for a while and the updates of the position were sporadic. Moments after the PVD call; the target re-acquired and I flashed the data tag at PVD and they accepted the hand-off. This occurred after the VFR aircraft had already entered into PVD airspace. I did not call the aircraft RADAR contact lost. I believe the primary target existed the entire time. The K90 ASR-8 has been dropping targets for months/years. This same situation very well could have happened with an IFR aircraft; as this is approximately the same location/altitude the aircraft would have been at had the aircraft been on an IFR flight plan. Recommendation; fix the ASR-8.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.