Date: 201407
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: IAD.Airport, DC
Light: Night
Aircraft: Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Flight plan: IFR
Airspace: Class B IAD
ATC / advisory: TRACON PCT; Tower IAD
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Other / Unknown
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Training / Qualification
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Other Person
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: This is an unknown event but was reported to the Management team as part of a monthly audit.  The results of the audit cannot be used for IPM.  One mid shift per month is audited looking for compliance with procedures such as opposite direction ops; vehicles on runways/closed runways safe practices; and compliance with midnight shift coordination procedures; among other items.  On this July midnight shift; coordination procedures were not done as per PCT/IAD LOA.  Between the hours of XX00 and XF00Z eleven arrivals were not handed off or otherwise coordinated by PCT and seven departures were not coordinated by LC3.  There were no land line coordinations between PCT and IAD suspending or resuming midnight coordination procedures nor was there a log entry stating the same.  It was not mentioned in the relief briefing at XD55Z.  This is the second mid shift audited during successive months where this occurred.  There were no losses of separation. Additionally; the mid shift CIC issued LUAW clearances throughout the shift when all positions were combined at LC3; contrary to directives.  Mandated by National Directive; midnight coordination procedures were agreed upon by both the Tower and TRACON to try to mitigate lapses in two-way communication between controllers and pilots.  TRACON would not switch airplanes to the Tower until the handoff was accepted and Tower would not allow an aircraft to roll unless they coordinated the release.  What happened on this shift is a blatant disregard of required procedures.  However; it is no surprise to me because this particular Controller disregarded the previous midnight controller procedures that existed for over a year.  In addition to being reported via memo to the ATM; these mid shifts were entered in CEDAR.  Since this important safety procedure was ignored twice; this event was also entered in CEDAR as a possible systemic issue. I repeat what I said in my previous report on this subject: NATCA Local has already gotten wind of prior occurrences of these off-the-record mutual agreements between PCT and its associated Towers.  They warned controllers to stop.  I am frankly astounded that it's being done; just like I was astounded a week ago to find out that mid shift controllers are taking their fatigue mitigation rest periods in their private vehicles in the parking lot!  It has gotten out of hand.  What is needed is more Management oversight of all mid shift procedures and more compliance enforcement.




Synopsis: IAD Support Specialist describes mid-shift where controllers working at IAD and PCT are not following the LOA and SOP for each of the facilities causing potential communication problems relating to losses of separation.