Sat controller described a TCAS RA event involving an air carrier arrival and a suspected glider dur...

Narrative:

CRJ7 on vectors for a visual approach to sat at 4;000 MSL; was issued traffic advisory for uncontrolled traffic near 5c1 that indicated 3;400 MSL. Cloud bases were reported about 3;600 MSL. The uncontrolled traffic showed transponder code 1201; normal for gliders. The glider appeared to make a rapid turn and climb towards CRJ7 so I issued another traffic advisory and suggested a turn to CRJ7 just before the conflict alert appeared. CRJ7 advised that he was responding to TCAS RA and climbing. Because I had other IFR traffic converging with CRJ7 at 5;000 MSL I issued an immediate descent back to 4;000 MSL as soon as he was clear of the glider. IFR separation was just barely maintained with CRJ7 and the converging traffic. CRJ7 advised afterwards that he was in the clouds IMC when responding to the TCAS RA and that 'it was very close with the glider'.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SAT Controller described a TCAS RA event involving an Air Carrier arrival and a suspected Glider during vectors for a visual approach.

Narrative: CRJ7 on vectors for a visual approach to SAT at 4;000 MSL; was issued traffic advisory for uncontrolled traffic near 5C1 that indicated 3;400 MSL. Cloud bases were reported about 3;600 MSL. The uncontrolled traffic showed transponder code 1201; normal for gliders. The glider appeared to make a rapid turn and climb towards CRJ7 so I issued another traffic advisory and suggested a turn to CRJ7 just before the Conflict Alert appeared. CRJ7 advised that he was responding to TCAS RA and climbing. Because I had other IFR traffic converging with CRJ7 at 5;000 MSL I issued an immediate descent back to 4;000 MSL as soon as he was clear of the glider. IFR separation was just barely maintained with CRJ7 and the converging traffic. CRJ7 advised afterwards that he was in the clouds IMC when responding to the TCAS RA and that 'it was very close with the glider'.

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.

Attributes
ACN	908407
Time
Date	201009
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	SAT.Airport
State Reference	TX
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Sail Plane
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Climb
Route In Use	None
Person 1
Function	Approach
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict

Sat controller described a TCAS RA event involving an air carrier arrival and a suspected glider during vectors for a visual approach.