Air controller nearly causes disaster – again

 WASHINGTON – An air traffic controller who nearly caused a midair collision last year has again been relieved of duty after putting two planes on converging courses.

 Shortly after beginning the 7 p.m. work shift at the Federal Aviation Administration radar facility at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport in Mississippi on Feb. 29, controller Robert Beck ordered an Air Force C-130, a four-engine turboprop, to increase its altitude from 2,000 feet to 3,000 feet and to adjust its heading.

 That put the jet on a converging course with a twin-engine turboprop owned by the Homeland Security Department, according to an FAA employee with knowledge of the incident.

 The controller whom Beck had relieved was standing in the back of the radar room while taking a break. He noticed the mistake and alerted Beck so he was able to separate the planes, avoiding a possible collision, said the employee with knowledge of the incident. The planes were just north of Gulfport at the time.

 An FAA analysis of radar data shows the planes came within 2.59 miles laterally and 300 feet vertically of each other. Regulations require a minimum separation distance between planes of three miles laterally or 1,000 feet vertically.

 Air traffic was light at the time, leaving Beck – who has a history of disciplinary problems – with no planes to handle except the two that he put on a converging course, the employee said.

 Beck didn’t return a telephone call from the AP seeking comment.

Associated Press