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by Jim Timm

 

These pilot deviations need to be examined to determine if a common thread exists that should be addressed to help reduce the number of deviations and enhance aviation safety.

In the time period from February 11 through March 10 there were twenty-six general aviation pilot deviations recorded by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by student, private, commercial, CFIs, and ATPs. Of the twenty-six deviations made, there was a need to issue nine Brashers.

Note: When an Air Traffic Controller issues a Brasher Notification, future FAA action will be taken, and the controller is giving the airman the opportunity to make note of the occurrence and collect their thoughts for future interaction with Flight Standards. The airmen can review the circumstances while still fresh in their mind, and this enables the airman and Flight Standards to identify and mitigate the risk.

The number of pilot deviations/incursions are up again this month, and as usual, some of these deviations didn’t have to happen. Pay attention to ATC instructions and follow them, and if you can’t comply, tell ATC why you can’t. Just don’t do something without advising them. Always know what type of airspace you are flying in, or may be about to enter, and please fly with more care and forethought.

In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are:

Seven IFR Deviations

Four Class Bravo Airspace Deviations

Seven Class Delta Airspace Deviations

Five Runway Incursions

Three Failure to Follow ATC Instructions

The details of the deviations this month are as follows:

 

IFR DEVIATIONS

 

2/8 Aircraft NORDO

             Certification UNK             (Plane out of Texas)             Phoenix (PHX)/Denver Center

       The pilot deviation was reported by the Denver Center when the Cessna Citation was NORDO for approximately 75 minutes. The Citation entered the Denver Center airspace at 2357Z. Several unsuccessful attempts were made by ATC to contact the aircraft. 

 

2/10 Route Deviation

             Commercial Pilot             PHX TRACON

The Cessna twin departed Deer Valley (DVT) on the DVT 1 departure and didn’t fly the published procedure. The aircraft instead flew the runway heading until they were advised by the PHX TRACON that they should have intercepted the PXR 336 Radial. The controller turned the aircraft away from the rising terrain, and then issued them the Brasher warning.

 

2/11 Route Deviation

             Commercial/CFI             Prescott (PRC)

The aircraft was issued a 360 heading off of PRC RWY 30. The pilot turned to a 060° heading, and the controller caught the mistake and turned the aircraft back to the north. The aircraft entered a MVA of 8,800, and their altitude was approximately 7,500 at the time. Later the pilot called ATC, and he stated they knew they made a mistake, and said the auto pilot turned the aircraft to intercept V12.

 

2/14 Altitude Deviation

             Private Pilot             (Plane out of North Dakota)             Phoenix Area

The aircraft was level at FL300 and had been cleared via the DINGO 5 arrival to TUS. Albuquerque Center (ZAB) observed the aircraft was below the assigned altitude and advised the aircraft to stop their descent at FL280. The aircraft had made an unauthorized descent to 28,200 feet before ATC corrected the error. The event occurred near Phoenix, and a Brasher was issued. The pilot called the facility and stated that he had read the charts wrong and thought he had to start his descent to properly fly the DINGO 5 arrival.

 

2/16 Route Deviation

             Commercial/CFI Pilot             (Plane out of Wisconsin)             Dateland, AZ Area

The aircraft had been cleared after Imperial County Airport (IPL), to fly the J2 to Gila Bend (GBN). Later, Albuquerque Center (ZAB) observed the aircraft was south of course and turned the aircraft back to the north. When ZAB advised the aircraft that he was supposed to be on J2, the aircraft responded, “that's correct”. The aircraft had made an unauthorized turn of about 20 degrees which resulted in the aircraft violating the active restricted area R2301E, before ZAB vectored the aircraft out. The event occurred near Dateland, and a Brasher was issued. The pilot called the facility and stated that GBN had dropped out of the FMS, and he was reprogramming it when the controller issued the turn. He also stated he was using his iPad as a backup, and every time he was close to the border the iPad he would lose the aircraft depiction.

 

2/16 Route & Altitude Deviation

             Commercial/CFI Pilot             Prescott (PRC) Area

The aircraft had departed Prescott (PRC) on an IFR Flight Plan, and the pilot proceeded direct to DRK while climbing to 10,000 and made a 360° turn without notifying the controller. When the controller queried the pilot, the pilot told the controller that he was trying to avoid some clouds. The pilot then proceeded westbound, and advised the controller they were requesting 8,000, while making the decent on their own without controller approval. PRC was not reporting clouds in the area, and there were no PIREPS indicating clouds or icing in the area. 

 

2/20 Altitude Deviation

             Pilot Certification UNK             (Plane out of Texas)             Phoenix Area

At 1951Z, Albuquerque Center (ZAB) cleared the aircraft to descend and maintain FL240, and the aircraft read back the clearance correctly. At 1953z, ZAB observed the aircraft was below the assigned altitude, and re-cleared the aircraft to FL240. The aircraft had made an unauthorized descent to 23,200 feet, which resulted in a loss of separation with a G200 who was level at FL230. The event occurred near Phoenix, and Brasher was NOT issued.

 

CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATION

 

2/9 Entered Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization 

             Commercial/CFI Pilot             Phoenix PHX

The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix Tracon (P50) when the aircraft entered the Phoenix Class B Airspace without prior authorization.

 

2/12 Entered Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization

             Commercial/CFI Pilot             (Plane out of Texas)             Phoenix PHX

The aircraft departed Scottsdale (SDL) on a flight to Fort Worth (FTW). They departed SDL VFR, and attempted to pick up their IFR clearance in the air. In the process they entered the PHX Bravo Airspace through the 6,000 and 7,000 ft shelves VFR without first obtaining a clearance. The Phoenix TRACON issued the Brasher warning to the pilot.

 

2/27 Entered Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization

             Commercial Pilot             Phoenix PHX

The aircraft had received flight following from the Biltmore through the West Transition route and was terminated after leaving the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace south of Phoenix. Moments later, the aircraft had started to climb back into the Bravo Airspace with IFR traffic five miles south of their current position. The controller reached back out to the aircraft in the blind, and immediately descended the aircraft back out of the Bravo Airspace and issued a traffic warning.

 

2/28 Entered Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization

             Commercial Pilot             (Plane out of New Mexico)             Phoenix PHX

The aircraft was getting VFR advisories for a flight to Goodyear (GYR), and the controller advised the aircraft to remain outside the Class Bravo Airspace. Later the aircraft did climb into the Class Bravo Airspace without a clearance, and the controller issued the Brasher warning.

 

CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS

 

2/11 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Radio Communications

             ATP Pilot             Chandler (CHD)

The aircraft was observed entering Chandler’s Class Delta Airspace for 2 to 3 miles at 2,400 ft, without authorization or establishing two-way radio communications. The pilot was asked to call the tower.

 

2/13 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Radio Communications

             Commercial/CFI Pilot             (Plane out of California)             Williams Gateway (IWA)

The pilot deviation was reported by the Williams Gateway (IWA) tower when the aircraft was not in communication with the tower, and it entered the airspace from the northeast.

 

2/15 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Radio Communications

             Private Pilot             Williams Gateway (IWA)

The aircraft entered the Williams Gateway (IWA) Delta Airspace from the northwest and was southeast bound. The ATC Controller attempted to reach out to the violator without any response. About two miles northwest of IWA, the aircraft turned southwest bound crossing the finals of runways 12 and headed towards Chandler. The local traffic was issued instructions to avoid the violating aircraft.

 

2/19 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Radio Communications

             Private Pilot             (Helicopter out of Alaska)             Falcon Field (FFZ)

The helicopter was inbound to Williams Gateway (IWA), and flew through the Falcon Field (FFZ) Class Delta Airspace without contacting the Falcon Field tower. The helicopter pilot said they were on flight following and thought that gave them permission to go through any airspace. No other aircraft were involved.

 

2/21 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Radio Communications

             ATP/CFI Pilot             (Plane out of Oregon)             Scottsdale(SDL) & Falcon Field(FFZ)

The aircraft entered the Scottsdale (SDL) Class Delta Airspace northeast of the airport at 2,800 feet MSL, headed north-northwest bound. The aircraft was previously tagged as an airspace violator from Falcon Field (FFZ) Airport. The Controller obtained the callsign from the ADS-B, and reached out to the aircraft on frequency, and established contact with the pilot. The aircraft was issued a Brasher warning on behalf of Falcon Field ATCT, and instructed to contact FFZ when they were on the ground.

 

3/1 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Radio Communications

             Private Pilot             (Plane out of California)             Deer Valley (DVT)

The aircraft departed Scottsdale (SDL) heading westbound and climbing, and violated the Deer Valley (DVT) Class Delta Airspace. An arriving aircraft inbound to Deer Valley (DVT) from the south, had to climb and deviate to avoid the NORDO offending aircraft. The offending aircraft continued westbound without ever responding to Deer Valley tower calls. Luke AFB was advised and was asked to give the pilot the Brasher warning if they came into contact with the offending aircraft.

 

3/1 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Radio Communications

             ATP Pilot             Chandler (CHD)

The pilot deviation was reported by the Chandler (CHD) tower when the aircraft entered the Chandler Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two way radio communications.

 

RUNWAY INCURSIONS

 

2/11 Crossing the Hold Short Line Without Authorization

             Private Pilot             (Plane out of California)             Deer Valley (DVT)

The pilot deviation was reported by the Deer Valley (DVT) tower when the aircraft crossed the Hold Short Line of Runway 25L without ATC authorization.

 

2/11 Crossing the Hold Short Line Without Authorization

             ATP/CFI Pilot             (Plane out of Minnesota)             Deer Valley (DVT)

The south ground controller was alerted that an aircraft had taxied past the runway 25L hold bars at C11 intersection. The aircraft had come to a stop approximately halfway between the hold bars and the runway edge line. An aircraft was on a 1/2 mile left base to final and was instructed to "go around" by the south controller. The aircraft on final executed a go-around maneuver over runway 25L with no direct overflight of the offending aircraft on the ground. The south controller then instructed offending aircraft to cross runway 25L and to expect a runway 25R departure at B11 intersection. No other aircraft were impacted by this event. A Brasher was issued by the Local North controller prior to the takeoff clearance being issued.

 

2/11 Crossing the Hold Short Line Without Authorization

             Private Pilot             (Plane out of California)             Deer Valley (DVT)

The aircraft crossed the hold short line of Runway 7R without ATC authorization. Ground Control (GC) had instructed the aircraft to taxi via Taxiways Delta and Delta 3 for a Runway 7R departure at Taxiway Charlie 3. The read back was correct. The aircraft crossed the hold short line of Runway 7R on Taxiway Charlie 3. There was no other traffic involved.

 

2/21 Crossing the Hold Short Line Without Authorization

             Private Pilot             Chandler (CHD)

The aircraft crossed the hold short line of Runway 22R without ATC authorization while another aircraft was on short final. Ground Control (GC) had instructed the aircraft to taxi via Taxiways Alpha and November for a Runway 22R departure. The pilot read back the correct taxiways but did not read back the runway. The aircraft taxied via Taxiways Alpha and November but crossed the hold short line of Runway 22R. The Local Controller (LC) observed the aircraft cross the hold short line and issued a go around to the landing aircraft inside a 1/2 mile final. The go around was initiated prior to reaching the threshold. 

 

3/8 Crossing the Hold Short Line Without Authorization

             Pilot Certificate UNK             (Plane out of Colorado)             Falcon Field (FFZ)

The pilot deviation was reported by Falcon tower when the arriving aircraft was assigned right traffic for Runway 4R. The aircraft proceeded to make a straight in to runway 22L.

 

FALURE TO FOLLOW ATC INSTRUCTIONS

 

2/10 Failure To Follow ATC Instructions

             Student Pilot             Falcon Field (FFZ)

The aircraft was told to fly straight out on departure but turned crosswind instead. The controller caught it and turned the aircraft back to the upwind. The controller then later gave an instruction to turn cross wind, and the aircraft continued on the crosswind leg almost out of the airspace instead of making right traffic like he should have.

 

2/17 Failure To Follow ATC Instructions

             Student Pilot             Falcon Field (FFZ)

The inbound aircraft contacted the north controller and was instructed to fly over the dam, and enter a downwind, and to follow an aircraft that was turning crosswind. The aircraft made a left 360° turn without being instructed. The controller asked what the pilot was doing, in case there was a radar misinformation issue, and the pilot started to argue that he was doing a 360 instead of entering the downwind since he did not have the other aircraft in sight. The controller instructed the aircraft to turn downwind. The pilot continued to try to argue with the tower instead of complying. The aircraft finally turned downwind, and landed, and was given the Brasher.

 

2/25 Failure To Follow ATC Instructions

             Student Pilot             Falcon Field (FFZ)

The aircraft was told to follow another aircraft in the upwind. The aircraft turned the crosswind early and cut off an aircraft in the pattern.

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