Date: 201205
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZDC.ARTCC, VA
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
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: A320
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Enroute
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Second reporter function: Enroute
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: ZNY Sector N10 shipped us an aircraft (E145) with unrestricted right deviation direct MOL when able. This aircraft was level at FL300. Immediately behind him was another aircraft (A320) attempting to climb through him to FL340 with an overtake. It appeared that the trailing aircraft (A320) had leveled off at an altitude below the leading aircraft (E145) FL290 temporarily even though the Data Block indicated he was climbing. I called N10 and asked him to leave the aircraft level at FL290 since they were still in radio communications with it and they did not know who I was talking about. I tried to help them understand the situation at hand and they appeared to be unaware of the fact that they were climbing the trail aircraft through the lead aircraft without proper longitudinal separation. At this time I hear my R-side yell across they land line that he needed to talk to the A320 immediately since he was overtaking and climbing through another aircraft ahead at FL320. The A320 then checked in with us and was vectored away from traffic. I feel that N10 forgot about the E145 since he was not expecting him to deviate that far right; dropped the Data Block right at the boundary and climbed the A320. It appeared that the N10 Controller had him stopped at FL290 and then launched him through traffic with obvious lack of separation. Perhaps he had a D-side that dropped the Data Block and he looked and climbed without remembering the traffic. [We needed] better and timely coordination; proper technique on weather deviations; basic separation skills; LOA use of interim altitudes [and] ability to PVD Data Tags back and forth between ZDC/ZNY.


Second narrative: [We had] three flows of traffic; J6; J48; J75 all converging due to weather deviations. [We] had previously asked; multiple times; for restrictions to be put in place to help manage volume and complexity of traffic. [We] had to personally stop one flow; J75; due to inaction on management and TMU. [We] asked ZNY not to provide aircraft side by side and to provide as much spacing as possible since all aircraft regardless of flight plan were deviating over same fix to avoid known weather. An E145 at FL300 deviating for weather right of course MOL when able. An A320 climbing to FL340 deviating for weather right of course COLNS when able. ZNY routinely calls last minute with revised altitude or alternate course of action when aircraft are climbing through traffic. Assumed this was the case and when realized action wasn't being taken and we weren't talking to the aircraft attempted to issue instructions to ZNY. It's apparent that ZDC lacks quality supervision at all levels. Known weather [was] causing havoc and controllers asking for helping falling on deaf ears. Supervisors of all levels sit behind desks removed from the operation not providing support that they are charged with. All supervisor chairs should be removed. FLM should be required to be in the area at all times. OM should be required to walk the 'bays' at all times. TMU supervisor should be required to walk the 'bays' at all times. OM was overheard saying they didn't understand what the problem on the floor was since all sectors were shown green on TSD. This OM is oblivious to the actual work performed and the complexity weather adds to sectors. ZDC is a lost cause and until someone makes actual changes; actually holding management accountable for their actions or lack thereof; conditions will continue to deteriorate until a catastrophic accident occurs.


Synopsis: ZDC Controller described an unsafe event when trailing traffic was being cleared to climb through an occupied altitude; the reporter suggesting a number of 'good practices'; which if followed should prevent future same type occurrences.