Date: 201807
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZDC.ARTCC, VA
Flight conditions: Marginal
Weather elements / visibility: Thunderstorm
Aircraft: A320
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZDC
ATC / advisory: Center ZDC
Second aircraft: Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Enroute
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Automation Aircraft RA; Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Procedure; Human Factors; Airspace Structure
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: I was working combined sectors and had a few arrivals that were deviating slightly east of course that I had pointed out to the Patuxent Restricted Area; all in level flight. Aircraft X was at 35000 ft; on his way back on course from his deviation for weather. Patuxent Advisories already said point out approved. Later; they called back for a point-out to me on an aircraft with beacon code XXXX; and the controller said he was at FL300; just east of PXT. I saw the code; and said he's at 30700 ft. Then the controller said 'I lost radar.' I said point-out approved for the spill-out; and begin to move my traffic out of the restricted area. I tried to move the one at 33000 ft out of the restricted area; since it appeared that the aircraft squawking XXXX was heading south and climbing out of 30700 ft. Next thing I know; Aircraft X north east of the XXXX code said he was responding to an RA. I saw the limited data block in the Patuxent Restricted area at 34000 ft something and merging with Aircraft X's target; as Aircraft X climbed up to 35500 ft or more. It happened so fast I was not able to provide a traffic call or anything. We always have done point-outs with the Patuxent Restricted area when we need it. These were minor deviations; and the restricted was active 40000 ft and below. We had called to try to get some of the airspace back; but they would not release it. After reviewing the events; and with the Patuxent controller saying 'I lost radar' I am not sure we should be doing point-outs to the Patuxent restricted area if they cannot relay traffic information to the aircraft operating under military control; provide control instructions to them; or even know where aircraft is? I think we need to review these procedures and the Patuxent restricted area Letter of Agreement and revise our procedures; for Area 1 and Area 4. In addition; if the restricted area is active; and there are miles in trail restrictions we need to look at TMU (Traffic Management Unit) restrictions and routes to alleviate this situation when there is weather.




Synopsis: DC Center controller reported an aircraft approved to deviate for weather into a Restricted Area received an RA and took evasive action to avoid traffic in the restricted airspace.