1 The Incident as a Situational example

A large four-engine jet is on an eastbound transoceanic flight at FL 330. The pilots call the Area Control Center (ACC) for a routine position report, giving an estimate of 1950 for the geographic fix of 53•00' N latitude, 50•00' W longitude (50 West). The ACC acknowledges the estimate at 1926 and instructs them to change to another frequency.

A three-engine jet passes over 50 West at 1936, flying westbound at FL 330 and along the same track. At 1942, the pilots contact the same ACC for the first time. They request and receive clearance to climb to FL 350. Both airplanes are operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) in visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The traffic in the area is low for that time of the day.