by Jim Timm
These pilot deviations need to be examined to determine if a common thread exists that we should address to help reduce the number of deviations that continue to occur, and thus enhance aviation safety.
In the reporting period from December 16, 2023 through January 12, 2024 there were twenty pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO office.
These deviations were committed by pilots with pilot certificates ranging from student through ATP, and there were eight out of state pilots that committed these deviations. Of the twenty deviations reported, there was a need to issue eight Brashers.
Note: A controller will issue a Brasher notification to a pilot 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 information and their thoughts for their future interaction with FAA 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. Also, when flying in controlled airspace, pilots should never be creative, but talk to ATC before they do something that differs from the instructions given. Pilots must always be aware of what type of airspace they are flying in, or may be about to enter, and know what may be expected of them. Always fly with care and forethought.
In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are:
4 IFR Deviations No Brashers
4 Class Bravo Airspace Deviations 3 Brashers
5 Class Delta Airspace Deviations 1 Brasher
1 Movement Area Deviation 1 Brasher
5 Runway Incursions 3 Brashers
1 Pedestrian On Runway N/A
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATION (6)
12/14 IFR Altitude
ATP Pilot
Out of Texas
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Albuquerque Controller observed a Cessna Citation below FL300 and asked the aircraft to verify their altitude. The Citation responded “adjusting.” The Citation had made an unauthorized descent to 29,700 feet, which resulted in a loss of separation with another aircraft that was level at FL290. The closest proximity was 2.83 miles and 700 feet.
12/24 IFR Visual Approach
Private Pilot
Out of New Mexico
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Socata Turboprop TBM-700 did not fly the RNAV D as published, resulting in a loss of separation with terrain. The aircraft was cleared for the visual approach into SDL and turned northwest bound away from the airport after switching to the tower.
1/4 (2) IFR SID Procedure, Approach Procedures, and ATC Instructions
Pilot Certification Unknown
Out of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The same aircraft committed these two deviations on the same day at both Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT) and Flagstaff (FLG) airports.
The pilot deviation was reported by P50 when the Piper Comanche didn’t fly the DVT-3 departure as Published.
At Flagstaff the pilot deviations were reported by P50 when the Comanche didn’t comply with the published approach procedures or ATC assigned headings and altitudes.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS
12/15 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Private Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Piper Comanche departed Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) VFR and climbed up into the 4,000 ft. shelf of the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace before talking to the Phoenix TRACON and receiving a Class Bravo clearance. The Comanche was issued a Brasher.
12/16 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Private Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Piper Malibu called a Phoenix TRACON controller requesting VFR flight following to Flagstaff (FLG). The Malibu was at 4,100 ft., and already in the PHX Class B Airspace without a clearance. A Brasher warning was given.
12/16 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Private Pilot (May not have had a current medical)
Out of New Mexico
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Cirrus SR22 climbed into the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without a clearance near Scottsdale Airport. A Brasher warning was given.
12/31 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Private Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Cessna 182 entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without a clearance. There was no loss of separation with other traffic.
CLASS DELTA DEVIATIONS
12/14 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Chandler Airport (CHD)
The Symphony LSA entered the Chandler Class Delta Airspace from the west without first establishing communication with ATC. The controller observed the aircraft, and checked to see if it was on frequency. The aircraft responded when it was two miles inside of the Class Delta Airspace, and the controller issued instructions for it to be sequenced to land. A Brasher was issued by Chandler Ground Control.
12/14 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Pilot Certification Unknown
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The pilot deviation was reported by Scottsdale ATC when the Cessna 172 transitioned through the SDL airspace without authorization.
12/15 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication Private Pilot
Out of Wyoming
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The pilot deviation was reported by the FFZ ATC when the Cirrus SR22 was observed penetrating the FFZ airspace at 3,100 ft. northwest of the field, and transiting the airspace southeast bound without permission to enter the airspace.
12/21 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Out of Minnesota
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The pilot deviation was reported by SDL ATC when the Cessna 210 entered the Scottsdale Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
1/5 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Goodyear Airport (GYR)
The pilot deviation was reported by GYR ATC when the Cessna 150 entered GYR Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
MOVEMENT AREA DEVIATION
12/4 Entering a Movement Area Without Permission
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The Cessna 421 taxied on taxiway Alpha from Gate 1 without any clearance. Ground Control (GC) noticed an aircraft on taxiway Alpha and reached out for their intentions. GC advised them that they needed a clearance to get on taxiway Alpha and issued them a Brasher. No other aircraft were involved.
RUNWAY INCURSIONS
12/7 Crossing A Hold Short Line
ATP Pilot
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Scottsdale ATC when a Cirrus SR22 crossed the hold short line of Runway 21 without ATC authorization. A Brasher was issued.
12/8 Landing on Wrong Runway
ATP/CFI
Williams Gateway Airport (IWA)
The Extra EA-300 was cleared to land on RWY 12R but landed on RWY 12C instead. A Piper Cherokee that was on a 3/4 mile final for the same RWY was sent around. The Extra exited the runway without further incident. A Brasher was issued.
12/11 Crossing A Hold Short Line
Student Pilot
Goodyear Airport (GYR)
The pilot deviation was reported by the GYR ATC when the Piper Archer crossed the hold short line of Runway 3 without ATC authorization. A Brasher was issued.
12/19 Failure To Hold Short
Private Pilot
Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
The RV-9 called Ground Control (GC) and stated that he was ready for departure, and he was given instructions entering the Hot Spot hold short area. He fully read back the instructions to hold short, but the RV9 continued slowly, and the controller keyed up, and said “RV-9 stop, stop, stop right there!” and the tower sent a Piper Arrow on a go around.
1/4 Departed On A Runway Without Authorization
Pilot Certification Unknown
Out of Ohio
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by Deer Valley ATC when the Cessna Citation departed Runway 25L without ATC authorization.
PEDESTRIAN ON A RUNWAY
12/18 Pedestrian on The Runway
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX)
PHX ATC reported that a pedestrian had jumped the airport perimeter fence and had crossed RWY 8/26 in front of an air carrier that was in the process of departing. The airplane was able to abort the take off, and safely exit the runway, and there was no impact on operations. The pedestrian was apprehended by Airport Security.