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Enroute controller described a loss of separation event; listing coordination distractions as a causal factor.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 995271 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201202 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | A300 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Make Model Name | Cessna Citation Sovereign (C680) |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Enroute |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict |
Narrative:
A C680 was in level flight direct to the VOR level at 21;000 ft. I recognized the possible traffic situation and left an air carrier level at 22;000 ft for the C680. A military aircraft was exiting a restricted area requesting an IFR [clearance]. I was taking that coordination from the d-side around the time the A300 checked in. I descended the A300 to 20;000 ft. I knew that I needed to sequence the air carrier and the A300 and an overtake situation was underway. The military checked in requesting an IFR and asking me to deactivate the restricted airspace. I took coordination from the d-side about the restricted area. The military aircraft explained he wanted to go VFR; and then became unsure. He then asked if he could go VFR. His confusion took a lot of my attention. Once I sorted out the military flight I recognized the situation with the A300 and the C680. I turned the A300 20 left and the C680 20 left and called traffic for both. D-side training was underway at my sector. I was taking a lot of irrelevant coordination at times when I needed to be handling other situations. I allowed myself to focus on the aircraft that was requesting all of the attention. As controllers we know how to continually scan and not let a pilot keep your attention. In the future I need to continue to move through the sector and not let a d-side or a confused pilot try and demand all of my attention when they don't need it.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Enroute Controller described a loss of separation event; listing coordination distractions as a causal factor.
Narrative: A C680 was in level flight direct to the VOR level at 21;000 FT. I recognized the possible traffic situation and left an Air Carrier level at 22;000 FT for the C680. A Military aircraft was exiting a Restricted Area requesting an IFR [clearance]. I was taking that coordination from the D-Side around the time the A300 checked in. I descended the A300 to 20;000 FT. I knew that I needed to sequence the Air Carrier and the A300 and an overtake situation was underway. The Military checked in requesting an IFR and asking me to deactivate the Restricted Airspace. I took coordination from the D-Side about the Restricted Area. The military aircraft explained he wanted to go VFR; and then became unsure. He then asked if he could go VFR. His confusion took a lot of my attention. Once I sorted out the Military flight I recognized the situation with the A300 and the C680. I turned the A300 20 left and the C680 20 left and called traffic for both. D-Side training was underway at my sector. I was taking a lot of irrelevant coordination at times when I needed to be handling other situations. I allowed myself to focus on the aircraft that was requesting all of the attention. As controllers we know how to continually scan and not let a pilot keep your attention. In the future I need to continue to move through the sector and not let a D-Side or a confused pilot try and demand all of my attention when they don't need it.
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.