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Center controller reported a loss of separation event due to being distracted while cleaning equipment.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1742622 |
| Time | |
| Date | 202005 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Commercial Fixed Wing |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Transport |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Enroute |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Experience | Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 6 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict |
Narrative:
I had just got a relief briefing shortly before the event. I was cleaning the equipment immediately after assuming the position. I would normally be scanning; but my attention was diverted to cleaning the equipment. Aircraft X was already climbing to FL350 and aircraft Y was level at FL280 both on route. Most aircraft are climbing extremely well right now with the coronavirus traffic being low. I did not see during the briefing the possible conflict based on climb rate of aircraft X and aircraft Y. However; after conflict alert triggered I immediately turned aircraft X 30 degrees left and expedited his climb. I then called a traffic alert to aircraft X and told him to expedite again.I then called traffic to aircraft Y. Then aircraft Y said he had the traffic in sight. After regaining standard separation I cleared aircraft X back on course. No other issues noted.I should have done a better job scanning during the relief briefing. I normally would have and should have this time also turned aircraft Y 30 degrees away [from] aircraft X. For some reason (probably the change in environment of traffic) my instincts didn't turn both aircraft which would have probably kept separation or been very very close to it. I should have done a couple scans before cleaning the equipment or switching aircraft to the next frequency which took my eyes off a possible conflict.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Center Controller reported a loss of separation event due to being distracted while cleaning equipment.
Narrative: I had just got a relief briefing shortly before the event. I was cleaning the equipment immediately after assuming the position. I would normally be scanning; but my attention was diverted to cleaning the equipment. Aircraft X was already climbing to FL350 and Aircraft Y was level at FL280 both on route. Most aircraft are climbing extremely well right now with the coronavirus traffic being low. I did not see during the briefing the possible conflict based on climb rate of Aircraft X and Aircraft Y. However; after conflict alert triggered I immediately turned Aircraft X 30 degrees left and expedited his climb. I then called a traffic alert to Aircraft X and told him to expedite again.I then called traffic to Aircraft Y. Then Aircraft Y said he had the traffic in sight. After regaining standard separation I cleared Aircraft X back on course. No other issues noted.I should have done a better job scanning during the relief briefing. I normally would have and should have this time also turned Aircraft Y 30 degrees away [from] Aircraft X. For some reason (probably the change in environment of traffic) my instincts didn't turn both aircraft which would have probably kept separation or been very very close to it. I should have done a couple scans before cleaning the equipment or switching aircraft to the next frequency which took my eyes off a possible conflict.
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.