by Jim Timm
These pilot deviations need to be examined to determine if a common threat exists that should be addressed to help reduce the number of deviations that occur, and enhance aviation safety.
In the time period from March 12 through April 14 there were twenty-eight pilot deviations recorded by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by private, commercial, CFIs, ATPs, and a military pilot. Of the twenty-eight deviations made, unfortunately, there was a need to issue seven Brashers. It’s interesting to note that five of the Brashers issued were for IFR deviations, and also of note, there were a large number of deviations committed by out of state pilots.
A controller issues a Brasher notification when further 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 number of pilot deviations are up again this month, and as usual, many of these deviations didn’t need 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:
Nine IFR Deviations
Six Class Bravo Airspace Deviations
Four Class Delta Airspace Deviations
One Restricted Airspace Deviation
Seven Runway Incursions
One Movement Area Deviation
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATIONS
3/9 Route, Altitude, and Void Time
Commercial/CFI
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The aircraft had been cleared direct to Safford (SAD). At 0247z, the Albuquerque Center controller observed the aircraft make a 65 degree right turn. The aircraft called ZAB after making the turn, and stated they were going direct to the San Simon VOR. The ZAB controller advised the aircraft to call ATC before making an unexpected turn. The aircraft had made an unauthorized turn of approximately 65 degrees. The aircraft was then cleared for the RNAV RWY 30 approach to Safford. The missed approach for that runway was to climb to 10,000 feet, and proceed direct to intersection ARUJU, then to CBBI. At 0318z, the aircraft called the ZAB controller that they were on a missed approach west of the airport, and west of ARUJU at 7,500 and were climbing. When asked if they were flying the missed approach, the aircraft responded, “no, they were looking for their next clearance.” The aircraft did not fly the published missed approach which resulted in the aircraft violating a 9,400 MVA, entering it at 8,500 feet. Later, after the aircraft had made a full stop at Casa Grande (CGZ), the ZAB controller, through Flight Data, cleared the aircraft to Tucson (TUS) with a void time of 0520z. At 0528z, the aircraft called the ZAB controller that they were off of CGZ. The aircraft did not comply with the clearance restriction, departing after the clearance void time. A Brasher had been issued at 0330z by the ZAB controller.
3/10 Altitude Deviation
UNK Certification
Texas Pilot
Los Angeles Center (ZLA)
The aircraft was with a Los Angeles Center (ZLA) controller and was instructed to maintain FL300, and the read back was correct, but the aircraft descended to below FL300. When ATC observed an altitude of FL294, the aircraft was climbed back to FL300. There was no loss of separation, and the pilot was issued a Brasher by the ZLA controller.
3/10 IFR - NORDO
Private
Florida Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The aircraft was handed off from the Los Angeles Center (ZLA) to the Albuquerque Center (ZAB) NORDO. Attempts were made to establish contact on the previous frequency, ARINC, and over the ABQ VOR without success. ZLA confirmed a good read back from the aircraft on 133.92. When communications were re-established with the aircraft, the pilot said they were on 132.92.
3/12 IFR Route
ATP/CFI
Missouri Pilot
Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the aircraft did not fly the DVT-1 procedure as published.
3/16 IFR Altitude
Commercial
New York Pilot
Phoenix (PHX)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when altitude separation was lost between the pilot’s aircraft and an air carrier aircraft.
3/18 IFR Route
Private
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The aircraft had been cleared via VICKO on airway V16. The Albuquerque Center controller observed the aircraft south of course and turning away from V16, and asked the aircraft to verify they were on V16. The aircraft responded, “we were off course so I am making a 360 degree turn to get back”. The aircraft had made an unauthorized 360 degree turn. The event occurred near Branda, AZ in Yuma County. A Brasher issued. When the pilot called the facility he stated that he is a student pilot (???) and he was flying the aircraft by hand and missed the turn. He thought it would be easiest to make a 360 turn to get back on course.
3/26 IFR Route
Private
Oregon Pilot
Chandler Tower (CHD)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Chandler Tower when the aircraft did not fly the assigned departure heading.
3/31 IFR - NORDO
ATP
Texas Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
At 2335z the Albuquerque Center controller cleared the aircraft to contact Albuquerque Center on 135.15. Aircraft read back the clearance correctly, however, the aircraft did not check back in on the new frequency, and remained out of contact with ATC until 0031z, when the Los Angeles Center controller established communications. The event originated near Tucson, and a Brasher was issued. The pilot called the facility and stated that he could not remember what frequency he was on just prior to the LA Center reaching him on guard, but he believed that it was 135.15. He was concerned that there was a transmitter/ receiver problem on ATC's end because he heard LA Center trying to reach several aircraft on the guard frequency.
4/5 IFR - RVSM
ATP
Nevada Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The CRJ aircraft filed a flight plan requesting FL290. Upon reaching FL290, the pilot indicated they are negative RVSM and requested higher. The aircraft was already less than 5nm from an air carrier at FL300. Pilot indicated they thought FL290 was ok. The Albuquerque Center controller called the Denver Center controller and asks them to BRASHER the CRJ. The closest proximity between the aircraft was 1.81nm and 1300ft vertically.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS
3/16 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Obtaining Prior Authorization
Private
Texas Pilot
Phoenix (PHX)
A Pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the aircraft entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
3/22 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Obtaining Prior Authorization
Private
California Pilot
Glendale (GEU)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the aircraft entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
3/26 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Obtaining Prior Authorization
Private
Missouri Pilot
Phoenix (IWA)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the aircraft entered the PHX Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
3/27 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Obtaining Prior Authorization
UNK Certification
Military Pilot
Scottsdale (SDL)
The pilot Deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Military aircraft entered the PHX Class Bravo airspace without authorization, which resulted in a loss of separation with another aircraft which was northbound, and climbing in the Bravo airspace.
4/1 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Obtaining Prior Authorization
UNK Certification
Phoenix (PHX)
A pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the helicopter entered the PHX Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
4/3 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Obtaining Prior Authorization
Private
Phoenix (PHX)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON (P50), when an aircraft entered the PHX Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS
3/20 Entering The Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two Way Communications.
UNK Certification
Kansas Pilot
Phoenix (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Deer Valley (DVT) tower when the aircraft was observed entering the DVT Class Delta Airspace from the southeast flying northwest bound at approximately 3,200 feet. The local control attempted to establish contact with the pilot, but was unsuccessful. The aircraft was observed continuing northwest bound and exited the DVT Class Delta Airspace.
3/25 Entering The Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two Way Communications.
Private
North Dakota Pilot
Mesa (FFZ)
The pilot deviation was reported by the FFZ tower when the aircraft entered the FFZ Class Delta Airspace without establishing two way radio communications.
4/2 Entering The Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two Way Communications.
Private
Phoenix (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by the DVT tower when the aircraft entered the DVT Class Delta Airspace without establishing two way radio communications.
4/5 Entering The Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two Way Communications.
Private
Mesa (FFZ)
The pilot deviation was reported by the FFZ tower when the aircraft entered the FFZ Class Delta Airspace without establishing two way radio communications.
RESTRICTED AIRSPACE DEVIATION
3/16 Entering Restricted Airspace Without Authorization
Private
Kansas Pilot
Phoenix (PHX)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the aircraft entered Restricted Airspace without authorization.
RUNWAY INCURSIONS
3/3 Using The Wrong Runway
ATP/CFI
Phoenix (IWA)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Williams Gateway Tower when the aircraft departed on Runway 30L, when they were cleared for takeoff on Runway 12R
3/14 Departed On Runway Without Authorization
Private
Texas Pilot
Tucson (TUS)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Tucson Tower when the aircraft departed on RWY11L without ATC authorization.
3/15 Movement Surface Deviation
ATP/CFI
Mesa (FFZ)
A pilot deviation on a controlled movement surface was reported by the Falcon Field tower when the aircraft entered a RWY/Taxiway area without a clearance.
3/20 Movement On A Controlled Surface Without Authorization
Commercial
California Pilot
Scottsdale (SDL)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Scottsdale Tower when the aircraft entered the RWY/Taxiway area without a clearance.
3/23 Landing Without A Clearance
Private
Arkansas Pilot
Tucson (TUS)
The aircraft was on final for runway 29R, and the controller tried to clear him to land on 29R with no acknowledgement, and the controller tried issuing a Green Light Gun signal. The aircraft landed on RWY 29R, and the controller needed to have the aircraft exit the runway as soon as able due to traffic behind him. The controller tried multiple times on multiple frequencies, including 121.5, to reach the pilot without success. The aircraft decided to taxi all the way down the runway to A3 to exit the runway. The controller called Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) to have an officer meet the aircraft at taxiway A3, and have him contact ground control. Ground Control issued a Brasher to the Pilot.
Later, when the pilot called, he stated, “He had been cleared to land, to follow the Citation, and no one talked to him after that.” He was asked, “Are you sure you are not confusing the cleared visual approach clearance with what you thought was the landing clearance?” The pilot was adamant he was cleared to land, and the frequency was 118.43. He was advised the correct TUS frequency is 118.3. When asked if he had seen the green light gun, his response was, “Nope.”
After reviewing the tapes, it was verified that the TUS controller had never received a transmission or acknowledgment from the aircraft. There was no loss of separation, and succeeding traffic was changed to the parallel runway.
3/30 Taking Off Without A Clearance
Private
Texas Pilot
Scottsdale (SDL)
The aircraft called that they were ready for departure, and they were instructed to hold short of RWY 21. The aircraft read back “hold short RWY 21”. The aircraft then lined up and waited on the runway. An aircraft that was on short final was sent around. A Brasher was issued.
3/31 Crossed The Runway Hold Short Line
Private
Iowa Pilot
Mesa (FFZ)
The pilot deviation was reported by Mesa Falcon Field when the aircraft crossed the hold short line of Runway 4L without ATC authorization.
MOVEMENT AREA VIOLATION
3/31 Moving Into A Movement Area Without Authorization
ATP/CFI
Kansas Pilot
Scottsdale (SDL)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Scottsdale Tower when the aircraft entered the taxiway Alpha without ATC authorization.