Narrative:

I was the ojti providing training to a developmental on all radar positions combined. We were working approximately 8-10 aircraft at the time of the event. The developmental was getting behind and I was trying to help the developmental work through the issues and catch up without having to take the position. Aircraft X was being vectored for a visual approach and descending for the airport. Aircraft Y had just called up for VFR flight following and been identified at 6;500 feet. Aircraft X was cleared down to 5;000 feet and had received several vectors around overflight traffic. The final vector that aircraft X was given prior to the event; was a heading of 220 from the northeast to be set up on a right base for runway xx. I told the developmental to instruct aircraft X to turn right heading 240; descend to 4;000 feet; and issue traffic on aircraft Y because the 2 aircraft were in conflict with each other. Aircraft X was issued traffic on aircraft Y; reported aircraft Y in sight; told to maintain visual separation; but did not respond that they would comply; then alerted that they were responding to an RA. I did not take over the position until aircraft X said they had the traffic in sight. I believe that this event happened because I allowed the developmental to go too far without taking the position. I allowed myself to be distracted by helping the developmental with lower priorities. At the time that I realized aircraft X and aircraft Y were in an unsafe situation; my resolution was too little too late. I had told the developmental what to do instead of just taking over the position and doing what I believed needed to be done. I have trained the developmental for the past year and was comfortable with knowing what their abilities were and were not. I became complacent as the session dragged on. I would recommend that at no time should this position be in the TRACON alone and without assistance. If training is being conducted; there should be an assist or flight data controller signed on position and working in the TRACON. Also; when training; sessions should be kept to; 1 hour or as close to 1 hour; as possible to prevent ojti fatigue. Being the ojti for 1hour and 30 minuets is much more difficult and challenging than just working the position by yourself.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: TRACON Controller providing OJT described a conflict event when failing to take over the position in a timely manner.

Narrative: I was the OJTI providing training to a Developmental on all RADAR positions combined. We were working approximately 8-10 aircraft at the time of the event. The Developmental was getting behind and I was trying to help the Developmental work through the issues and catch up without having to take the position. Aircraft X was being vectored for a Visual Approach and descending for the airport. Aircraft Y had just called up for VFR flight following and been identified at 6;500 feet. Aircraft X was cleared down to 5;000 feet and had received several vectors around overflight traffic. The final vector that aircraft X was given prior to the event; was a heading of 220 from the northeast to be set up on a right base for Runway XX. I told the Developmental to instruct aircraft X to turn right heading 240; descend to 4;000 feet; and issue traffic on aircraft Y because the 2 aircraft were in conflict with each other. Aircraft X was issued traffic on aircraft Y; reported aircraft Y in sight; told to maintain visual separation; but did not respond that they would comply; then alerted that they were responding to an RA. I did not take over the position until aircraft X said they had the traffic in sight. I believe that this event happened because I allowed the Developmental to go too far without taking the position. I allowed myself to be distracted by helping the Developmental with lower priorities. At the time that I realized aircraft X and aircraft Y were in an unsafe situation; my resolution was too little too late. I had told the Developmental what to do instead of just taking over the position and doing what I believed needed to be done. I have trained the Developmental for the past year and was comfortable with knowing what their abilities were and were not. I became complacent as the session dragged on. I would recommend that at no time should this position be in the TRACON alone and without assistance. If training is being conducted; there should be an assist or flight data controller signed on position and working in the TRACON. Also; when training; sessions should be kept to; 1 hour or as close to 1 hour; as possible to prevent OJTI fatigue. Being the OJTI for 1hour and 30 minuets is much more difficult and challenging than just working the position by yourself.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.