Enroute controller described a loss of separation event during holding and multiple vectors around t...

Attributes
ACN	981775
Time
Date	201111
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Other Holding Pattern
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

I was providing OJT to a cpc at combined sectors. We were holding for ZZZ and working several other aircraft through the sector around the holders. Air carrier X at FL250; inbound to ZZZ1 needed to be descended across abc at FL190. Air carrier Y was in holding over abcde at FL220. There was another aircraft in holding at FL210 below air carrier Y. The trainee descended the holder from FL210 to 17;000 ft; then descended air carrier X from FL250 to FL220. Then he descended air carrier Y from FL220 to FL210; and later to FL190. I did not catch that the order of the clearances was incorrect. Prior to the loss of separation; I advised the supervisor that the phone was going to ring and that we were using FAA7110.65 5-5-5B. I was advised that an oe had occurred. Trainers should not be lulled into a false sense of security assuming that a cpc-it can actually separate airplanes.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Enroute Controller described a loss of separation event during holding and multiple vectors around the holding pattern. The reporter failed to hear the incorrect order of descent clearances issued by the trainee.

Narrative: I was providing OJT to a CPC at combined sectors. We were holding for ZZZ and working several other aircraft through the sector around the holders. Air Carrier X at FL250; inbound to ZZZ1 needed to be descended across ABC at FL190. Air Carrier Y was in holding over ABCDE at FL220. There was another aircraft in holding at FL210 below Air Carrier Y. The trainee descended the holder from FL210 to 17;000 FT; then descended Air Carrier X from FL250 to FL220. Then he descended Air Carrier Y from FL220 to FL210; and later to FL190. I did not catch that the order of the clearances was incorrect. Prior to the loss of separation; I advised the Supervisor that the phone was going to ring and that we were using FAA7110.65 5-5-5B. I was advised that an OE had occurred. Trainers should not be lulled into a false sense of security assuming that a CPC-IT can actually separate airplanes.

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.

Enroute controller described a loss of separation event during holding and multiple vectors around the holding pattern. The reporter failed to hear the incorrect order of descent clearances issued by the trainee.