M03 controller described a near loss of separation event between two successive FNCHR1 arrivals. The...

Narrative:

An MD11 was on the FNCHR1 arrival level at 10;000 and slowed to 230 KTS as published about 10 northwest of the gqe VOR. Close in trail was a B777 descending out of 13;000 and showing a 60-70 KT overtake. When I first measured the lateral separation between the two aircraft; I showed less than 5.5 miles and quickly decreasing. I did not take the hand-off on the B777 which forced the ZME controller to call to try and coordinate. The ZME controller said that he issued a 250 KT speed restriction to the B777; but the pilot was slow in complying. Considering the STAR has a 230 KT restriction; this didn't help. When I took radar on the B777 after telling the ZME controller to turn the aircraft to a 070 heading; the two aircraft were less than 4 miles apart; but I still had vertical separation. I am aware that this is part of the learning process for ZME regarding the optimum descent path (odp) stars and that it may take a while before all of the ZME controllers are on board; but the FAA (in this instance M03 management and ZME management) have got to hold ZME to the operating procedures of the new letter of agreement between our facilities which include the odp procedures. In retrospect; I should have told the ZME controller to spin the B777; but I do not feel confident that my facility management would support that decision.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: M03 Controller described a near loss of separation event between two successive FNCHR1 arrivals. The reporter listed the OPD procedures and the unfamiliarity with same by the ZME controllers as likely causal factors.

Narrative: An MD11 was on the FNCHR1 arrival level at 10;000 and slowed to 230 KTS as published about 10 northwest of the GQE VOR. Close in trail was a B777 descending out of 13;000 and showing a 60-70 KT overtake. When I first measured the lateral separation between the two aircraft; I showed less than 5.5 miles and quickly decreasing. I did not take the hand-off on the B777 which forced the ZME Controller to call to try and coordinate. The ZME Controller said that he issued a 250 KT speed restriction to the B777; but the pilot was slow in complying. Considering the STAR has a 230 KT restriction; this didn't help. When I took RADAR on the B777 after telling the ZME Controller to turn the aircraft to a 070 heading; the two aircraft were less than 4 miles apart; but I still had vertical separation. I am aware that this is part of the learning process for ZME regarding the Optimum Descent Path (ODP) STARs and that it may take a while before all of the ZME Controllers are on board; but the FAA (in this instance M03 management and ZME management) have got to hold ZME to the operating procedures of the new Letter of Agreement between our facilities which include the ODP procedures. In retrospect; I should have told the ZME Controller to spin the B777; but I do not feel confident that my facility management would support that decision.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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	1028748
Time
Date	201208
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	MEM.Airport
State Reference	TN
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-11
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Departure Approach
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

M03 controller described a near loss of separation event between two successive FNCHR1 arrivals. The reporter listed the opd procedures and the unfamiliarity with same by the ZME controllers as likely causal factors.