LESSONS LEARNED
Northern Region Aviation Safety
Temporary Flight Restrictions and Controlled
Airspace
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
Air attack reported a Cessna Citation flew through the incident Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)
and landed at the local airport.
WHAT WAS DONE WELL:
Air attack observed traffic and insured all incident traffic was deconflicted.
Positive identification of aircraft was quickly completed and turned over to proper personnel.
The team has set up a TFR and identified contact numbers in the NOTAM.
Airspace coordinators had been ordered by the geographic area and were available to help resolve
the problem.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
Quality assurance at the air route traffic control center indicated:
1) Normally center controllers do advise the incident if they have IFR traffic penetrating or near
a TFR though it did not occur in this instance.
2) Though the aircraft was on an ATC controlled IFR approach, the location of the TFR plotted
on the controller's scope was based on the radial distance from the VOR rounded to the whole
mile, as described in the NOTAM. They do not have the ability to plot distances on their scopes
in tenths of mile-leading to a TFR location in error by up to 1/5 mile.
It was discovered that some controllers plot the TFR's based on the Lat/Long and some
locations are plotted based on the radial distance in the NOTAM. The radial distance is not near
as accurate as the Lat/Long. After discussion it was agreed with the need for their controllers to
plot all TFR 's on their scopes based on the Lat/Long identified in the NOTAM.
In this instance a Cessna was on the the VOR/DME approach to the airport under ATC control
and appeared on their scope to be 1.3 miles clear of the TFR. However after a call to center,
they plotted the route of the aircraft in relation to the lat/long of the TFR which showed the
aircraft was .7 miles inside the TFR.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ATC needs to ensure they communicate presence of traffic under their control when in AND near a
TFR and plot the location of the TFR on their scopes based on the Lat/Long in the NOTAM.
Agency pilots and air attack staff should be aware that the location of a TFR based on a VOR radial
may be different on ATC scopes than that shown on aircraft equipment using Latitude /Longitude
locations.
All aircraft need to be expectant of nonparticipating traffic showing up in the TFR unannounced.
Emphasize the see and avoid principle even if you have a TFR issued.
If possible avoid placing controlled airspace or approach paths within a TFR.
When activity hits a predetermined activity level order airspace coordinators.
Be familiar with CFR 91.137 (a) 2 and the rules when Traffic is allowed in the TFR:
(c) When a NOTAM has been issued under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, no person may
operate an aircraft within the designated area unless at least one of the following conditions are
met:
(1) The aircraft is participating in hazard relief activities and is being operated
under the direction of the official in charge of on scene emergency response activities.
(2) The aircraft is carrying law enforcement officials.
(3) The aircraft is operating under the ATC approved IFR flight plan.
(4) The operation is conducted directly to or from an airport within the area, or is necessitated by
the impracticability of VFR flight above or around the area due to weather, or terrain; notification
is given to the Flight Service Station (FSS) or ATC facility specified in the NOTAM to receive
advisories concerning disaster relief aircraft operations; and the operation does not hamper or
endanger relief activities and is not conducted for the purpose of observing the disaster.
(5) The aircraft is carrying properly accredited news representatives, and, prior to entering the
area, a flight plan is filed with the appropriate FAA or ATC facility specified in the Notice to
Airmen and the operation is conducted above the altitude used by the disaster relief aircraft,
unless otherwise authorized by the official in charge of on scene emergency response activities.
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