Narrative:

Air carrier X; a kdfw departure; entered sct 97 northwest-bound route of flight. Air carrier X; somehow went NORDO. The flight plan indicated that air carrier X was direct pnh; then direct KA30Y; then direct a 'K' fix in ZDV's airspace. Once air carrier X hit pnh; the aircraft made close to a 90 degree turn to proceed direct KA30Y which apparently is 8-12 miles southwest of pnh. No controller knows where any of these points are. After hitting KA30Y; the aircraft made close to another 90 degree turn to proceed northwest-bound; 2; close to 90 degree turns with in 20 miles of pnh. When questioned; the pilot stated that was the routing the company filed. The 2 rapidly quick turns were a total surprise. Recommendation; get rid of the 'K' fixes all together. No one knows where these points really lie in relation to geographical locations or in relation to each other. Months ago; I handed ZKC two aircraft coming together 15 miles in their airspace; because after the kkxxx fix inside their airspace; the aircraft turned to another kkxxx fix that put him in direct conflict with another aircraft. Leaving my airspace; the aircraft appeared to be separated. If we must keep the 'K' fixes; which no body likes; create a set of rules for their use (i.e.; after hitting a 'K' fix; the turn to the next fix (K or not) cannot exceed 5 degrees). These points are dangerous to the safety of air traffic; and need to be removed.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZAB Controller described a confused routing event when traffic was cleared via 'K' fixes and was observed making unexpected course changes. The reporter suggested the elimination of 'K' fix routings.

Narrative: Air Carrier X; a KDFW departure; entered SCT 97 NW-bound route of flight. Air Carrier X; somehow went NORDO. The flight plan indicated that Air Carrier X was direct PNH; then direct KA30Y; then direct a 'K' fix in ZDV's airspace. Once Air Carrier X hit PNH; the aircraft made close to a 90 degree turn to proceed direct KA30Y which apparently is 8-12 miles southwest of PNH. No Controller knows where any of these points are. After hitting KA30Y; the aircraft made close to another 90 degree turn to proceed northwest-bound; 2; close to 90 degree turns with in 20 miles of PNH. When questioned; the pilot stated that was the routing the company filed. The 2 rapidly quick turns were a total surprise. Recommendation; get rid of the 'K' fixes all together. No one knows where these points really lie in relation to geographical locations or in relation to each other. Months ago; I handed ZKC two aircraft coming together 15 miles in their airspace; because after the KKxxx fix inside their airspace; the aircraft turned to another KKxxx fix that put him in direct conflict with another aircraft. Leaving my airspace; the aircraft appeared to be separated. If we must keep the 'K' fixes; which no body likes; create a set of rules for their use (i.e.; after hitting a 'K' fix; the turn to the next fix (K or not) cannot exceed 5 degrees). These points are dangerous to the safety of air traffic; and need to be removed.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.