TRACON controller described a loss of separation event when canceling an approach clearance because ...

Narrative:

Aircraft X; CRJ7 was following aircraft Y; B752 on final; winds were tricky strong tailwind aloft and headwind below. I canceled the approach clearance of the back aircraft and maintained vertical separation throughout the situation. I was then advised that standard separation was not legal in this situation. I was told that if the back aircraft wasn't cleared it would have not been an oe this is a crazy rule. Standard separation should be sufficient.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: TRACON Controller described a loss of separation event when canceling an approach clearance because of an overtake situation but continuing to maintain the required distance standards.

Narrative: Aircraft X; CRJ7 was following Aircraft Y; B752 on final; winds were tricky strong tailwind aloft and headwind below. I canceled the approach clearance of the back aircraft and maintained vertical separation throughout the situation. I was then advised that standard separation was not legal in this situation. I was told that if the back aircraft wasn't cleared it would have not been an OE this is a crazy rule. Standard separation should be sufficient.

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	975817
Time
Date	201110
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.TRACON
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B757 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

TRACON controller described a loss of separation event when canceling an approach clearance because of an overtake situation but continuing to maintain the required distance standards.