NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Cirrus

SteveC

SteveC

"Laconic"
Staff member
National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594
March 29, 2011

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NTSB INVESTIGATING AN INCIDENT INVOLVING AN ATC REQUEST FOR A COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT TO FLY NEAR A NON-RESPONSIVE AIRPLANE

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The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating an incident involving a Southwest Airlines airplane that was requested to veer off course by Air Traffic Control to view into the cockpit of a general aviation airplane that had been out of radio communication.

On Sunday, March 27, 2011, Southwest Airlines flight 821 was requested by Central Florida Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) to check on a Cirrus SR22 that had been out of radio contact for an hour. The TRACON vectored the Southwest Airlines commercial flight until visual contact was obtained with the Cirrus.
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Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

Is the incident the lack of radio communication or the B737 getting close to the sr-2something?
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

As long as both of them cancelled at the gate.
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

Oh man, I hope he didn't "veer" too hard.
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

Would have been funny if the southwest flight was full of kids on they're way to Disneyworld and the Cirrus was out of radar contact because the guy and his wife were joining the mile high club.
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

scooter2525 said:
Might have list lazily to the left...
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069-i-know-a-few-maneuvers-tamify.jpg


I Know A Few Maneuvers...
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

I dunno... this whole thing sounds DANGEROUS! Southwest being Vectored off course AND a Cirrus was nordo! AHHHHHH!!!!!
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

SIUav8er said:
I dunno... this whole thing sounds DANGEROUS! Southwest being Vectored off course AND a Cirrus was nordo! AHHHHHH!!!!!
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Excuse me, let's try to keep our language accurate here. They VEERED!
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

I too am wondering what particular facet the NTSB is focusing on this one. Though not common for a commercial aircraft to be vectored for an intercept of a NORDO or IFE aircraft, private aircraft have been before, though they volunteered for it. I imagine the SWA was asked also.

I could just see it:

"SWA 821, take heading 235, your bogey 270-15, angels 9 level, southeastbound, 290 knots closure."

"SWA, Judy!"
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

MikeD said:
I too am wondering what particular facet the NTSB is focusing on this one. Though not common for a commercial aircraft to be vectored for an intercept of a NORDO or IFE aircraft, private aircraft have been before, though they volunteered for it. I imagine the SWA was asked also.

I could just see it:

"SWA 821, take heading 235, your bogey 270-15, angels 9 level, southeastbound, 290 knots closure."

"SWA, Judy!"
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Oh, whoops, we're popeye at angels six!
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

ATC: "SWA 821, do you have him?"
SWA 821: "I'm too close for missiles, I'm switching to guns...."

Bp244
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

AVweb's report:

Controller, 737 Crew Suspended After Cirrus Intercept

The FAA said on Tuesday it is investigating an incident in which a Southwest 737 crew allegedly flew too close to a Cirrus at the request of a controller. The incident took place about 5 p.m. on Sunday, when a controller in the Central Florida Tracon asked the 737 crew if they would check on an SR22 that had been out of radio contact for over an hour. The Southwest crew approached the Cirrus and told ATC they saw two people in the cockpit, then turned away. About 30 seconds later the Cirrus pilot contacted Jacksonville Center. Both aircraft landed safely at their destinations. "Preliminary information indicates that there was a loss of required separation between the two aircraft," the FAA said. The controller, who is a supervisor, has been suspended. Southwest also suspended the flight crew pending an investigation.

"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." The FAA didn't say how close the airplanes came. The Southwest flight had originated in Phoenix and landed in Orlando. Another ATC supervisor was suspended just last week, after he admitted to napping while on an overnight shift in the tower.
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Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

"Hey man, will you go fly up to that Cirrus and see if he's alive or whatnot. He's not responding...."


"Yeah, no problem."


"MUWHAHAHA!! YOUR SCREWED NOW! I SCREWED YOU! YOU FLEW TOO CLOSE AND MAYBE BROKE A REGULATION! THAT WAS UNSAFE! WE'RE GONNA GET YOU!"


"But you asked me too..."


"IT DOESN'T MATTER! YOU SHOULDA KNOWN BETTER! MUWAHAHAHA!!
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The FAA IS THE DEVIL
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

Knee jerk reaction to the sleepy tower incident or is asking the SWA aircraft to deviate innappropriate?
 
Re: NTSB investigating ATC request Southwest to intercept Ci

Bringing aircraft into relatively close proximity without prior planning and coordination is not a good idea.

Poor judgment all around in my opinion. There are lots of other ways to check on that aircraft that don't involve a passenger airliner.
 
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