No Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
An error was made which configured the QIE Center RADAR feed which was in a disabled state. This was done with no notice to air traffic personnel. This caused a serious and unexpected RADAR data failure. Controllers were required to switch to emergency service level without warning and handle several impromptu manual coordination's while trying to recover. This same scenario has occurred on multiple previous occasions causing dangerous and unexpected system outages. There must be a change in current procedure jointly developed by Air Traffic and Tech Operations to prevent this situation from reoccurring in the future.
PHL Controller described a RADAR data failure allegedly caused because of failed coordination between Air Traffic and Tech Ops personnel; the reporter noting this was not the first same type event.