A320
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was working a heavy amount of traffic; but the complexity was low. I handed Air Carrier X off to Sector 76 level at FL340; Air Carrier X had no issues. As Air Carrier X was entering Sector 76 I took a handoff on Air Carrier Y level at FL350. Air Carrier Y had no request and I left him on his route. At the point that Air Carrier X was 10 miles into Sector 76 and Air Carrier Y was around 20 to 15 miles still within Sector 76 I noticed the conflict alert activate. Air Carrier X showed climbing through FL343 while I was talking to Air Carrier Y at FL350 only 7 miles apart head to head. Air Carrier Y immediately reported that he may have to respond to a TCAS from the aircraft climbing in front of him. I responded 'Air Carrier Y Roger; turn 20 degrees left vectors for traffic.' I prevented the targets from merging; it was to late prevent the loss of separation. Air Carrier Y never responded to an RA and remained level at FL350. I was told that the aircraft came within 3.5 miles and 400 FT. I think this was a simple case of missed traffic. I do not have any procedural recommendations to prevent this situation.
We were Air Carrier X in cruise at FL340 south of CVG. The Captain was pilot flying and I was the pilot not flying. The Controller issued a clearance to turn left 15 degrees. We assumed this was for traffic; so the Captain asked me to ask the Controller if we could climb to a different altitude. So; on my reply to the Controller I requested a different altitude for which she issued a clearance to climb to FL360. Shortly after the Captain initiated the climb we received a TCAS TA (traffic; traffic). At that time I decreased the range on my ND to more easily see where the traffic was. The traffic was above and to our right; and soon it became apparent that a conflict was imminent. The Captain asked me to query the Controller. When I began to do so; we received a TCAS RA (descend; descend) so I reported a TCAS descent to the Controller. She then issued a 30 degree left turn. The traffic passed approximately 400 FT above and to our right. I don't know the lateral distance as I was busy setting the new heading and verifying our vertical speed remained outside the avoid area. After the traffic passed we were cleared back on course.
Two controllers and a flight crew involved describe a TCAS RA event at FL345 in ZID airspace.