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ZTL ARTCC controllers reported a loss of communications on primary and backup frequencies; resulting in an near midair collision.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1686989 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201909 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZTL.ARTCC |
| State Reference | GA |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Citationjet (C525/C526) - CJ I / II / III / IV |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Make Model Name | Citation V/Ultra/Encore (C560) |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Enroute |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Experience | Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 29 |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Enroute |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Developmental |
| Experience | Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 20 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Conflict NMAC Deviation - Procedural Other / Unknown |
Narrative:
I was working the radar position at a low sector. The sector above my sector had an extremely loud test tone on [frequency] that was placed in the speaker. The sector then experienced a complete frequency failure. The area workload frequency was assigned to my sector. I quickly looked at the high sector and asked an air carrier to communicate on the high sector frequency for all aircraft to transfer to my frequency. I noticed that aircraft X was still climbing into aircraft Y and the two aircraft were on a collision course. I asked aircraft Z to transmit a traffic alert on frequency for aircraft X to turn right immediately. Aircraft X turned right and aircraft Y climbed about a minute before collision. This near collision was caused by a catastrophic loss of communications. Communications testing was being conducted during an extremely busy period. The frequencies have been not working properly for quite some time. Test and repair frequencies during the mid-shift when the sector is not so busy.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: ZTL ARTCC Controllers reported a loss of communications on primary and backup frequencies; resulting in an NMAC.
Narrative: I was working the Radar position at a Low sector. The sector above my sector had an extremely loud test tone on [frequency] that was placed in the speaker. The sector then experienced a complete frequency failure. The area workload frequency was assigned to my sector. I quickly looked at the high sector and asked an air carrier to communicate on the high sector frequency for all aircraft to transfer to my frequency. I noticed that Aircraft X was still climbing into Aircraft Y and the two aircraft were on a collision course. I asked Aircraft Z to transmit a traffic alert on frequency for Aircraft X to turn right immediately. Aircraft X turned right and Aircraft Y climbed about a minute before collision. This near collision was caused by a catastrophic loss of communications. Communications testing was being conducted during an extremely busy period. The frequencies have been not working properly for quite some time. Test and repair frequencies during the mid-shift when the sector is not so busy.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.