SWA Asked To Look Over An Unresponsive GA Airplane
The National Transportation Safety Board released preliminary
reports on a situation in which a controller asked the captain
of an airliner to check out an unresponsive GA airplane.
The SWA/Cirrus incident under investigation (OPS11IA428A)
occurred on March 27th at 1702 EDT. Cirrus SR22 N1487C was a NORDO
aircraft and had been NORDO with ZJX (Jacksonville Center) for more
than an hour. The Domestic Events Network (DEN) was aware of the
situation. F11 solicited the assistance of SWA821/B737 to attempt
to verify the condition of the occupants of N1487C. SWA821 obliged
their assistance and the F11 controller issued vectors to SWA821
toward N1487C. A separate radar scope was set up and single
frequency was used by a Front Line Manager who provided control
instructions to SWA821.
When SWA821 was approximately 5 miles from N1487C the SWA pilot
reported N1487C on TCAS and visually. Visual separation was not
applied by ATC. SWA821 was instructed to resume own navigation, get
as close as safely possible and report any abnormalities. SWA821
maneuvered on his own along side of N1487C. The crew reported two
occupants in the Cirrus and no apparent movement from them. SWA821
was then issued vectors away from N1487C to MCO (Orlando). Closest
proximity was approximately 100 feet and 0.1 miles.
The preliminary report is subject to change, and may
contain errors. Any errors will be corrected when the final report
has been completed.
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