Houston ARTCC

ZHU- Houston ARTCC – Sabine Pass /  Beaumont Sector

  Antonio glanced at the digital clock on the radar scope, noting that Veronica made it into work with only two minutes to spare. He was just about to say something to her when an aircraft called on frequency.

“Houston, five lima charlie. We just had another one pass off to our left side. It sure looked a lot closer than the last one.”

“November five lima charlie,” Antonio replied. “I have no other I-F-R traffic at your altitude in the vicinity. I have been getting these reports from other aircraft also. This meteor shower is causing near mid-air collision reports all over our airspace. In fact, my supervisor told me that there have been near mid-air collision reports as far north as Duluth, Minnesota.”

Antonio continued giving control instructions to several aircraft as Veronica put her headset on and headed over to the Baton Rouge sector. Their sector relief briefing was interrupted when both controllers quickly looked over at Antonio when he suddenly swore out loud. With a frustrated look on his face, Antonio tried to reason with another pilot.

“Universal two forty six, I do not have any other traffic at your altitude. In fact sir, I don’t have another aircraft within twenty miles of you.”

The pilot of the Universal seven fifty seven was upset.

“Houston, whatever passed just off to our left side was very, very close. In fact, I’m very sure that it was another aircraft. I will be filling a near mid-air collision report when we land.”

Antonio rubbed his forehead. “Universal two forty six. Tonight is the Parseid meteor shower. It happens every year when the earth passes through this area of the solar system. In fact, it will continue on for another couple of nights. I’m sure what you saw was another meteor. We have been getting these reports all night long. I say again, I have no other I-F-R traffic in your area. If you wish to file a report, feel free to do so. It’ll only prove what I’ve been telling you.”

There was no reply from the Universal pilot.

Antonio felt bad that he jumped on the pilot so quickly. He attempted to reduce some of the tension.

“Universal two forty six, Houston. I get my information from my twelve year old. He’s into astronomy and stuff like that. He told me that tonight was going to be one of the heaviest meteor showers ever.”

There was a few seconds of silence on the frequency before the pilot replied.

“Houston, Universal two forty six. Your twelve year old must be a pretty smart young man. We just had two more flash past us. One off  to our ten o’clock and another that looked like it was underneath us. But, I swear, the one before had the silhouette of another aircraft.”

ZHU Baton Rouge Sector

  For some reason, the primary radar target in front of the Jetstar bothered Ronni. At the risk of sounding foolish, she pressed her headset button.

“Jetstar one six romeo whisky, possible traffic at your one o’clock and six miles. Type and altitude unknown.”

The pilots of the Jetstar responded to her traffic call. “Jetstar one six romeo whisky, roger. We’re just coming out of flight level two zero-zero. We’ll watch for the traffic.”

Ronni continued to focus her attention on the primary target. Behind her, she overheard the mid-shift supervisor, Chuck Morris, come into the area talking loudly.

“Hey guys, we just had a report sent to us about a King Air 200 that was stolen from Scholes Field in Galveston a little more than an hour ago. There will be an Alert Notice sent to the sectors soon. Let me know if you see anything unusual, OK?”

Ronni glanced at Chuck. She was just about to respond to him when a loud burst of static came through her headset. The noise was quickly followed by an urgent radio transmission.