A319
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure; Aircraft
The A319 was in level flight at FL240. I issued the descend via clearance. The first altitude restriction for the IVANE5 arrival into CLT is at MSTRD. That window is at or above (AOA) FL270. The next window is at MAYOS with an altitude window at or below (AOB) FL260/ AOA FL240. After I issued the descend via clearance I noticed the aircraft was at FL236. GVE sectors altitude stratum at that location is FL240-FL330. I performed a point out to the SBV sector underlying my sector. I asked the pilot to verify his assigned altitude. Pilot replied with hesitation 'FL240'. Fortunately the SBV controller had already taken action and descended his traffic. SBV Controller anticipated the A319's premature descent since we have been briefed that this is a problem with the airbus FMS.  The aircraft continued to descend to FL232 before climbing back to his assigned altitude of FL240.  All of this occurred prior to the MSTRD intersection.  Either they need to fix their FMS systems to correctly comply with the restrictions on the arrival or we need to suspend the descend via into CLT until this is fixed. This is very unsafe!!
I was working the radar at sector 22. The top altitude of my sector is FL230. Sector 32 is right above me FL240-FL330. The controller working sector 32 told an A319 to descend via the IVANE5 Arrival. The A319 was currently level at FL240. On the arrival the window they need to meet restrictions for is at MAYOS FL240-260. The A319 descended prior to MAYOS and entered my airspace. Lowest altitude witnessed via Mode C was FL232. This is a known issue with Airbus aircraft on this approach. Because of this known issue I had already began to descend my RDU arrival early because of the known issue. If I had not descended my aircraft who was level at FL230 this report would be a different one. Airbus either fixes their FMS; or Airbus aircraft are not allowed to Descend Via the IVANE5 arrival into CLT.
Two ZDC controllers describe a recurring problem they are having with Airbus aircraft not meeting the crossing restriction at MAYOS on the IVANE5 arrival to CLT.