Narrative:

I had assumed the handoff position at sector 33 due to traffic and computer problems. We were in darc mode and unable to make computer entries. Data blocks of several aircraft were overlapped. Thus, we were unable to see altitude and aircraft identify information. I was attempting to start a track on a jfk departure (about 2 mins after I assumed position) when both aircraft responded to TCASII alerts. Having been in position without a briefing for such a short period, I never even knew these aircraft were in the sector.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SECTOR WORKLOAD HAD INCREASED DRAMATICALLY DUE TO RADAR OUTAGE AND USE OF THE BACKUP SYS. THESE FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO AN OPERROR.

Narrative: I HAD ASSUMED THE HDOF POS AT SECTOR 33 DUE TO TFC AND COMPUTER PROBS. WE WERE IN DARC MODE AND UNABLE TO MAKE COMPUTER ENTRIES. DATA BLOCKS OF SEVERAL ACFT WERE OVERLAPPED. THUS, WE WERE UNABLE TO SEE ALT AND ACFT IDENT INFO. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO START A TRACK ON A JFK DEP (ABOUT 2 MINS AFTER I ASSUMED POS) WHEN BOTH ACFT RESPONDED TO TCASII ALERTS. HAVING BEEN IN POS WITHOUT A BRIEFING FOR SUCH A SHORT PERIOD, I NEVER EVEN KNEW THESE ACFT WERE IN THE SECTOR.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.