The Williamtown air traffic control procedures did not clearly define the separation responsibilities and coordination requirements between the Approach sectors for departing aircraft.
Safety Action addressed the identified issue
Post incident, local procedures were reviewed at Williamtown with the following pertinent changes made:
• The entry of silent coordination in label data to be differentiated between intended tracking and actual tracking;
• Handoffs to be defined as 'clean handoffs' unless otherwise coordinated; and
• Mandated voice coordination of crossing-track conflictions prior to the relaxation of vertical separation.
Local procedures at Williamtown continue to be under constant and regular review.
DoD's safety action is appropriate, in amending the issues with the local procedures that were identified in this investigation.
