No Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 13
Communication Breakdown; Other / Unknown; Human-Machine Interface; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Human Factors; Procedure
As I was returning to the control room after my lunch break; I was asked by a Technician about what caused Sector X to power down. He indicated that it might have been caused by the Controller working the sector. The Technician told me that the power button to the VSCS had been turned off and he wasn't sure why the Controller had done it. So I asked the Controller why he turned the power off; and he replied; 'Because I was bored. I thought if I just pushed it once; it would reset and not shut off completely.' The result of his actions caused the sector's frequencies and land lines to be inoperable for 24 minutes while the system had to be reset by the Tech Ops. The Controller did not notify management right away and simply moved to another sector; compromising the safety of the operation. Once the CIC became aware of the situation; he notified the technicians; but did not notify myself or the OM.More training on the equipment to prevent occurrences so controllers have better knowledge of how to operate and handle the VSCS; particularly the consequences of what will happen if they are not handled with care.
Front Line Manager reports a Controller while bored turns off the VSCS; causing the frequencies and land lines to be inoperable.