A320
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 8.5
Situational Awareness; Confusion; Distraction; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Procedure; Aircraft
The exact same thing happened with this aircraft; only on a different arrival. Aircraft was landing LAX. Level at FL240. Tonight; the altitude restriction busted was GLESN; which is charted 240B300. Aircraft was level at FL240; was issued the descend via instructions; and immediately started to descend for the 2nd altitude constraint. While I have not yet spoken to the PIC of this flight; the situation is exactly the same as referenced above; and as I found out last night; is a known issue with Airbus aircraft. Descend via/Climb via arrivals have been around for ages. We had the CIVET profile arrival 15-20 years ago. This is nothing new; which is why I am completely and utterly shocked that this issue has not been brought up before; and has not been resolved. While the two events I have witnessed (in less than 24 hours; mind you) have not caused specific safety issues; in relation to smashing into other aircraft or airspace; the possibility of this happening is very real. This is a major safety concern; as far as I'm concerned; and needs to be resolved before something bad happens.1) Disallow these Airbus aircraft from flying in the NAS.2) Since I know #1 isn't going to happen; have them fix their airplane so this doesn't occur over and over again. This is not acceptable.
With LAX Center and approaching the ANJLL arrival we were vectored several times off course for spacing and given several speed assignments for spacing. It was very busy with multiple instructions. Our cruise altitude to LAX was FL280. Eventually we were cleared direct SALYY intersection to descend via the ANJLL arrival. Unfortunately; we had long since reviewed the ANJLL arrival constraints; and didn't notice that the GLESN altitude constraints had dropped out (I believe due to our lower altitude than the GLESN window). My FO was PF and had set an appropriate floor and initiated a managed descent; but we were below the GLESN constraint window. Crew will not accept a 'Descend Via' clearance until time to re-review arrival constraints.
ZLA Controller and the A320 flight crew involved reported problems associated with the Airbus computer that does not comply with descend via clearances correctly.