Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 14
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Procedure; Equipment / Tooling; Human Factors
I was providing training on sector 37 when the event occurred. Aircraft X was at FL330 on course for PXR and Aircraft Y at FL340 was direct HEC. The two aircraft were in level flight when they crossed each other by the required 1000 ft separation between two RVSM qualified aircraft and crew. While they were within 5 miles lateral of each other Aircraft X reported that they had just lost their autopilot and were now NON-RVSM. My trainee then descended the Aircraft X out of the RVSM Airspace and updated the flight plan to reflect non-RVSM status. However; due to the aircraft proximity we had a loss of separation due to the loss of autopilot by the Aircraft X. No suggestions; there is nothing that can foresee an equipment malfunction to avoid such an event from happening again.
While training and working the R37 position Aircraft X; at FL330 informed me he had to leave RVSM airspace immediately. I asked the pilot for the reason first instead of immediately descending the aircraft and the pilot informed me he had lost the auto pilot function onboard the aircraft. Meanwhile Aircraft Y at FL340 was flying opposite direction to Aircraft X approaching the 5NM radius which we use for standard separation. Realizing the two aircraft now have potential to be an issue due to a new non-RVSM aircraft involved; I descended Aircraft X to FL270 informed management and continued to work the sector. I have no recommendations for this occurrence due to the uncontrollable outcome that took place.
ZLA Instructor and Developmental Controllers report a loss of separation due to an aircraft that had an autopilot failure. The aircraft advised ATC and the Developmental descended the aircraft out of RVSM airspace; but ended up less than the required 5 miles away from another aircraft.