Press Release – FAA Statement on March 27 Incident in Florida

For Immediate Release

March 29, 2011
Contact: Sasha Johnson/Laura Brown/Kathleen Bergen
Phone: Sasha 202-267-3883, Kathleen 404-305-5100

The FAA is investigating an incident that occurred on Sunday March 27, 2011 when an air traffic controller in the Central Florida Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) requested assistance from a passenger aircraft in checking on a Cirrus SR22 aircraft that had been out of radio contact for over one hour. The Cirrus was on course for Kissimmee, FL and maintaining altitude at 11,000 feet. Air traffic controllers at Jacksonville Center (ZJX) repeatedly tried to reach the aircraft without success.

Southwest 821 (SWA821), a Boeing 737, was ten miles in trail of the Cirrus at 12,000 feet and heading for Orlando International Airport (MCO).

The controller asked the Southwest crew if they could check the cockpit of the Cirrus. The Southwest crew agreed, was directed towards the Cirrus and reported the aircraft in sight.

The Southwest pilots reported seeing two people in the cockpit. The Southwest flight turned away and the air traffic controller then vectored the aircraft for its arrival at Orlando International Airport. Approximately thirty seconds later the Cirrus contacted Jacksonville Center who gave them the current frequency. Both aircraft landed safely at their destinations.

Preliminary information indicates that there was a loss of required separation between the two aircraft. The FAA has suspended the air traffic controller, who is a supervisor.

“By placing this passenger aircraft in close proximity to another plane, the air traffic controller compromised the safety of everyone involved. This incident was totally inappropriate,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

“We are reviewing the air traffic procedures used here and making sure everyone understands the protocols for contacting unresponsive aircraft.”


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Press Release – FAA Statement on March 27 Incident in Florida

 

^^ Hey look, they have their masks on, I thought you flew with those just dangling from your helmet?? Pretty flat too for a negative 4G dive?


Really? Suspension? Geeish.

I was flying back down the east coast once from Europe, I was finally not as bored as I was from coast in til Maine, and while listening to guard I got to hear a Cessna get intercepted by fighters for going into a presidential TFR. It started with them just trying to get a hold of the plane on guard but no response, 30 minutes later the fighters got involved and the guy was on guard asap, AND THEN HE ARGUED WITH THE FIGHTER THAT IT WAS NOT A TFR. I'd just say "thanks, I'll be moving on..."

 

Is this for real???? Sasha needs to ask her boss to check her work before releasing it next time...

 

The SWA Captain agreed to take a look at this plane with his plane being full of pax?! Huh?

 

Must have been ex-military. Thought he could declare MARSA.

 

This does not sound like a good idea.

USMCFLYR

 

With every decision you make you have to ask yourself, "Is this good for the company?"'

- Bill Lumbergh -

 

I don't see the problem here. The Cirrus is at 11,000 feet, and Southwest is at 12,000.

 

Uhh... not likely. First, How easy would it have been to see who's in a Cirrus from 1000 ft above (if they were at 11 and 12) while the Boeing is going at least 200 kts, and the Cirrus at say, 120.

Second, The press release said, "Preliminary information indicates that there was a loss of required separation between the two aircraft. " which means they got closer than 1,000 ft.

I think everyone's got some 'xplaining to do.

 

If they are VFR and the captain agrees to take a look, where is the violation of seperation? Doesnt seperation below RSVM in VFR the responsibility of the PIC even on an IFR flight plan? I dont get what the big deal is. And lets face it, there is no way that cirrus is going to move fast enough where SW wont be able to get out of the way.