EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
I was working the Marlinton Sector; weather was in the North part of the sector causing aircraft to deviate South off the arrival routes. I was told that IAD; DCA and BWI arrivals were not getting in on the routes through my sector. Because the aircraft were deviating; it was difficult to find holding and management did nothing to find alternate routes. I had 3 landing DCA; 2 landing BWI and 2 landing IAD and 16 plus Data Blocks on the scope. I was told that the sector to the Southeast; MOL; would take the IAD arrivals. I cleared the aircraft on a heading for MOL VORTAC. I was expecting the route to be told to me or entered in the computer; so it could be issued and a hand off to the MOL Sector could be accomplished. Neither happened and an E145 entered MOL sector without a hand off; I don't know for sure if the aircraft had been PVD'd to the MOL Sector or not. At this point I was told that the MOL Sector would not work the aircraft. When weather is significantly affecting the area; do not leave one supervisor in charge. The supervisor in charge during this event was very inexperienced and did not know where to get the help we needed. Supervisors need to know how traffic affects the area; in this instance aircraft being shortcut from New York Center area should have been stopped. Coordination with other areas to find alternate routes should have been accomplished. Until Washington Center stops hiring supervisors with little to no Center experience this problem will continue; this Center cannot be used as a stepping stone for someone's road to headquarters. Should be more training on L-Side functions; we don't use them very often but when they are needed the person needs to be proficient.
ZDC Controller described a complex and heavy traffic period that resulted in an airspace infraction; noting the absence of experienced supervision which contributed to the issues at hand.