ZOA controller described a probable MVA event when traffic departing fat was restricted to 100 eastb...

Narrative:

An air carrier was climbing eastbound from fat; standard procedure; handed off to sector 16/22 climbing to 100. Aircraft did not check on with ZOA sector. We attempted to establish communication; but were unable for several minutes. The aircraft remained level at 100 while flying into an area of high terrain just a few miles east of fat approach airspace. After several radio calls (many with instructions to climb) the aircraft was observed beginning a climb. A couple of minutes later; when communications were established; the aircraft did report the terrain in sight and that they would accept a VFR climb. The aircraft was issued a climb to FL230 and a read back was received. I believe the procedure of fat approach climbing departures to 100 eastbound and then transferring communication to ZOA is not safe. Before communications are transferred; the aircraft should have clearance to an altitude that is safe for their route of flight. Perhaps for eastbound aircraft; fat should call and request permission for a higher altitude.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZOA Controller described a probable MVA event when traffic departing FAT was restricted to 100 eastbound as per LOA. The reporter suggested needed changes to the procedure.

Narrative: An Air Carrier was climbing eastbound from FAT; Standard Procedure; handed off to Sector 16/22 climbing to 100. Aircraft did not check on with ZOA sector. We attempted to establish communication; but were unable for several minutes. The aircraft remained level at 100 while flying into an area of high terrain just a few miles east of FAT Approach airspace. After several radio calls (many with instructions to climb) the aircraft was observed beginning a climb. A couple of minutes later; when communications were established; the aircraft did report the terrain in sight and that they would accept a VFR climb. The aircraft was issued a climb to FL230 and a read back was received. I believe the procedure of FAT Approach climbing departures to 100 eastbound and then transferring communication to ZOA is not safe. Before communications are transferred; the aircraft should have clearance to an altitude that is safe for their route of flight. Perhaps for eastbound aircraft; FAT should call and request permission for a higher altitude.

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	1028981
Time
Date	201208
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZOA.ARTCC
State Reference	CA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Light Transport High Wing 2 Turboprop Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT

ZOA controller described a probable MVA event when traffic departing fat was restricted to 100 eastbound as per LOA. The reporter suggested needed changes to the procedure.