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 thus enhance aviation safety.
In the time period from December 9 through January 13 there were fifteen pilot deviations recorded by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by pilot certificate levels from Private through ATP/CFI, and of these fifteen deviations made, there was a need to issue five Brashers. This month there were six out-of-state pilots and one from Mexico that committed these deviations. The number of deviations reported were down for this period.
Note, a controller will issue a Brasher notification when further FAA action will be taken, and the controller is thus giving the airman the opportunity to make note of the occurrence, and collect their thoughts for their future interaction with Flight Standards.
Pilots need to listen carefully to ATC instructions and follow them, and if you can’t comply, tell ATC why you can’t. When flying in controlled airspace, pilots shouldn’t be creative, but talk to ATC before they do something that differs from the instructions given. Always be aware of what type of airspace you are flying in, or may be about to enter, and know what may be expected of you. Always fly with care and forethought.
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATION
12/11 IFR Altitude
Commercial Pilot/CFI
Out of Texas
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
At 2207, the aircraft checked in with the Albuquerque Controller that they were climbing out of flight level (FL) 060 for 070 and the controller told the pilot to expect to level at 070 for a few minutes. At 2209, traffic was issued to the aircraft that a Cessna was coming from the opposite direction at FL 080. At 2209:51, the aircraft appeared to be climbing out of FL 072 and the controller confirmed that they were remain level at FL 070 which the pilot replied they were level at 070. The controller replied, “I show you still climbing, descend and maintain FL 070.” The pilot replied, “We are going back down.” At 2210:15, the aircraft appeared to be at FL 074, and the controller issued a traffic alert.
12/27 IFR Speed/STAR
Commercial Pilot
Out of Texas
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The controller asked the pilot what his indicated speed was and the pilot replied that he was doing 280 kts. The pilot was not complying with the assigned speeds on the EAGUL arrival which required the controller to vector the aircraft to maintain separation from another aircraft. A Brasher warning was issued.
12/30 IFR Altitude
Commercial Pilot
Out of Texas
Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The aircraft was observed descending below 3,400 MSL and into Deer Valley’s Delta airspace. The Phoenix Tracon had instructed the pilot to remain at or above 3,400 MSL before they had exited the Phoenix Class Delta airspace, however the aircraft had descended to 2,500 MSL, and entered the DVT Delta Airspace. The aircraft had been “tagged” for the GPS-D approach to Scottsdale (SDL). The DVT tower called the SDL tower and asked them to issue a Brasher to the pilot.
12/30 IFR Route
Commercial Pilot
Out of Texas
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Citation was turned to a 050 heading to join the localizer for RWY07R and cleared for an ILS approach. The aircraft flew through their final approach course and got near the final approach course for RWY08. The aircraft rejoined the localizer from the north side and landed on RWY 07R with out incident. The PHX tower was going to issue the Brasher warning but missed it, and they had an FBO issue it.
1/3 IFR Route
Unknown Certification
Out of Nevada
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The aircraft did not fly the KEENS TWO DEPARTURE out of Phoenix (PHX) as published which resulted in a loss of separation with a subsequent departure. The closest proximity was: 2.93 NM and 800 feet vertical.
The incident was a possible Near Mid Air Collision (NMAC).
CLASS ALPHA AIRSPACE DEVIATION
12/12 Entering Class Alpha Airspace Without Authorization
Military Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The aircraft called Albuquerque Center, with a request. By the time the Albuquerque Center Controller answered the aircraft, it was at 18,300 feet, and still climbing, and requesting an IFR clearance. The aircraft had made an unauthorized climb into Class Alpha Airspace to 18,600 feet before receiving an IFR clearance to do so. The event occurred near San Manuel, and a Brasher was issued.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATION
12/17 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization
ATP/CFI Pilot
PHX TRACON
The pilot deviation was reported by the PHX TRACON when the aircraft entered the PHX Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
1/7 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Out of Idaho
PHX TRACON
The aircraft had departed Falcon Field (FFZ) westbound and the pilot called the TRACON Willy Sector for flight following, but unfortunately, he had already entered the Bravo Airspace at 6,000 MSL.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS
12/11 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Scottsdale Airport (SDL) Tower
The aircraft entered the SDL Class Delta Airspace from the south at 3,000 ft. MSL and exited on the west side of the Class Delta. The aircraft had flown through the RWY 21 departure corridor, forcing the SDL Controller to hold his IFR-released aircraft on the ground until the errant aircraft had cleared the area. The aircraft's callsign was obtained via ADS-B.
12/13 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Scottsdale Airport (SDL) Tower
The aircraft entered the SDL Class Delta Airspace 4 miles west of the field, prior to establishing two-way radio communications. As a result, a Beechjet flying IFR in the Delta airspace reported receiving and responding to a TCAS alert. The offending aircraft was at 3,400 ft. MSL, and BE40 was at 3,700 ft. MSL at the time of the TCAS alert.
12/16 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT) Tower
The pilot deviation was reported by the DVT tower when the helicopter entered the DVT Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two way radio communications with the tower.
12/31 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Scottsdale Airport (SDL) Tower
The SDL Tower Controller observed an airspace violator entering the SDL Class Delta Airspace from the east on a 1200 code and indicating an altitude of 3,700 MSL. The errant aircraft’s ADS-B signal indicated a callsign for the aircraft, and the controller reached out to the aircraft but got no answer. Another controller in the tower called the Deer Valley Airport (DVT) tower, but DVT advised they didn’t have the aircraft on frequency. The SDL Controller held IFR departures for approximately 4 minutes to allow the errant aircraft to clear the IFR departure corridor. Later the DVT controller called SDL back, and confirmed they had the errant aircraft on frequency, and advised the aircraft was landing at DVT, and DVT issued the Brasher warning. The pilot called SDL by phone later, and advised they were on frequency with the PHX TRACON.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL INSTRUCTIONS
12/20 Failure to follow the Air Traffic Control Instructions.
Unknown Pilot Certification
Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by the DVT Tower when an aircraft overshot his turn to final, and conflicted with another aircraft.
RUNWAY INCURSION
12/9 Entering a Runway Without Authorization.
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out of Mexico
Tucson Airport (TUS)
The deviation was reported by the Tucson Tower when the aircraft entered Runway 21 without ATC authorization.
SURFACE INCIDENT
1/4 Vehicle Entering a Movement Area Without Authorization
No Pilot Certificate Required
Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
An airlines tug entered taxiways Delta, Tango, and Sierra without ATC authorization.