Narrative:

While working as the local controller; I cleared a B717. After waiting extra time (1 min and 14 seconds); knowing the performance limitations of the B717; I then launched a C650. When the citation became airborne; I looked at the separation. Seeing that it was over 3 mi and almost 2000 ft; I switched the citation to departure; believing that the spacing was more than adequate. In the end; the B717 never accelerated and flattened out his climb and the citation caught up to him and outclbed him as well. They had less than standard separation about 6 mi southwest of phl around 3500 ft. I believe that this company is using a less than standard climb out; although they have been queried and state this is not true.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PHL LCL CTLR RELEASED SECOND ACFT THAT OVERTOOK PRIOR DEP AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERROR AT 3500 FT.

Narrative: WHILE WORKING AS THE LCL CTLR; I CLRED A B717. AFTER WAITING EXTRA TIME (1 MIN AND 14 SECONDS); KNOWING THE PERFORMANCE LIMITATIONS OF THE B717; I THEN LAUNCHED A C650. WHEN THE CITATION BECAME AIRBORNE; I LOOKED AT THE SEPARATION. SEEING THAT IT WAS OVER 3 MI AND ALMOST 2000 FT; I SWITCHED THE CITATION TO DEP; BELIEVING THAT THE SPACING WAS MORE THAN ADEQUATE. IN THE END; THE B717 NEVER ACCELERATED AND FLATTENED OUT HIS CLB AND THE CITATION CAUGHT UP TO HIM AND OUTCLBED HIM AS WELL. THEY HAD LTSS ABOUT 6 MI SW OF PHL AROUND 3500 FT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS COMPANY IS USING A LESS THAN STANDARD CLBOUT; ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN QUERIED AND STATE THIS IS NOT TRUE.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 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.