Medium Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
Confusion; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Human Factors; Procedure
Aircraft Y; the heavy; was the lead aircraft on the north downwind for runway 26L. Aircraft X; the large; was the following aircraft on the same downwind but en-route to runway 27. Aircraft Y was descending to 2000 feet and Aircraft X was descending to 3000 feet initially. I turned the heavy out of 5000 feet for the right base. More than minimum separation existed when I turned the heavy southbound. TARP [Traffic Analysis Review Program] claims I flew through the wake remnant of the heavy with the large on the downwind even though I had more than 5 miles behind the heavy when the heavy started the base. I pointed the heavy on the base leg out to Aircraft X while he was still on the downwind. Aircraft X reported the heavy in sight and was instructed to maintain visual separation. I did so because I knew I'd be turning behind the heavy for the base leg to runway 27 and I wanted to ensure I was protected. TARP claims closest proximity was 400 feet vertical and 4.13 miles lateral. Those distances are approximate from my recollection of looking at the replay. I'm at a loss for words about how this was an operational error. I had more than minimum separation laterally when the heavy turned southbound on the base leg. I don't mess with wake turbulence and probably had a *T line drawn to ensure spacing. I used the tools available to me to maintain separation. If TARP can see wake remnant and call a deal on me; why doesn't TARP provide me with a tool to avoid said remnant. As I said above; I used the tools available to me.
I90 Controller describes a loss of separation he finds out by the tool TARP advising the wake turbulence remnant. Controller wonders if this tool (TARP) can tell them that there was a loss of separation why can't it provide the controller information to prevent the loss.