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 March 15, 2024 thru April 11, 2024 there were thirty-one pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO office. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student Pilot thru ATP, and there were fourteen out of state pilots that committed these deviations. Of the thirty-one deviations reported, there was a need to issue ten 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, 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:
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATION (8)
3/12 IFR SID Deviation
Private Pilot
Out of New Jersey
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Piper Meridian did not fly the DVT-3 departure as published. PA46 turned right instead of left, and there was no loss of separation.
3/27 IFR Altitude Deviation
Commercial Pilot
Out of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Cessna Citation Mustang was inbound to DVT but went around, and was issued an altitude of 5,000 and a heading of 360°. The Cessna climbed through 5,000 to 7,000 while northbound. The Cessna lost separation with an air-carrier 3 miles northeast of DVT airport. The closest proximity was 2.3 miles and 800 feet.
A Brasher was issued based on a complaint from DVT ATC.
3/28 IFR Altitude Deviation
Student Pilot
Albuquerque Center
The Piper Dakota was assigned an altitude of 5,000 ft for an approach into CGZ. While the pilot was attempting to pull up the weather, he began descending. The Albuquerque Controller noticed the Piper at 4,700 ft and he was assigned 5,000 again as the altitude. The Piper was again observed descending to 4,400 ft. The minimum instrument altitude (MIA) in the area is 4,500. A low altitude alert was issued. The Piper climbed back up to 5,000 and was cleared for the visual approach without further incident. When the pilot called, he stated that he is a student pilot and that he thought he had filed a VFR flight plan and was very confused why he was getting assigned cardinal headings and altitudes, and getting clearances.
4/5 IFR Altitude Deviation
UNK. Pilot Certification
Out Of Texas
Albuquerque Center
The Lear Jet was at FL360, and the Albuquerque Controller cleared the Lear Jet to descend and maintain FL330 in two minutes or less. The Lear Jet read back the clearance correctly, but they didn’t comply with nor advise ATC of the inability to comply with an ATC altitude restriction. The Lear Jet took over three minutes to reach FL330. A Brasher issued.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (2)
3/19 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Private Pilot
Out Of Oregon
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Cirrus entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
3/28 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Private Pilot
Out Of Georgia
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Cessna entered the Phoenix Class D
Bravo Airspace without authorization. There was no loss of separation.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (6)
3/5 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Commercial Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by DVT when the Cessna entered the DVT Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
3/9 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
ATP Pilot
Out of Washington
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by DVT when the Cessna entered the DVT Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
3/19 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Student Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
A Piper entered the DVT Class Delta Airspace from the north at an altitude of 2,600 ft without establishing communication with DVT ATCT, and it conflicted with another Piper inbound from the Northeast. Traffic was issued to the second Piper, and the first Piper turned back to the north and exited the Class Delta Airspace. Closest proximity between then two Pipers was approximately 1 mile.
3/14 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot
Out Of Alaska
Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Glendale Tower when the Bonanza entered the Glendale Class Delta Airspace prior to establishing two-way radio communications.
3/28 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Out of Utah
Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU)
The helicopter entered the GEU Class D Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications. There was no loss of separation.
3/28 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
ATP Pilot
Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR)
The Cessna called Glendale Tower approximately 10 miles south of the airport to land. The pilot was on a discrete beacon code, and ATC asked if the pilot had a clearance through Goodyear's Class D Airspace. The pilot acknowledged that he was cleared at or above 2,500 ft AGL. ATC noticed the pilot descend below the altitude restriction, and attempt to land at Goodyear airport. The Local Controller advised the pilot to climb immediately. The pilot started his climb at 1,400 feet, well below the initial altitude restriction. After landing at Glendale, the pilot was given the Brasher.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW ATC INSTRUCTIONS (2)
3/13 Not Complying With ATC Instructions
ATP/CFI Pilot
Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The pilot deviation was reported by IWA when the Vans RV8 pilot did not follow the ATC assigned altitude or course assignments which resulted in a conflict with an air-carrier who was turning base to final.
3/27 Not Complying With ATC Instructions
Commercial Pilot
Out of California
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
Cessna Citation did not follow ATC's instructions in the DVT class Delta, resulting in multiple conflicts in the pattern. On the second approach, the Cessna was approaching from the southwest, sequenced number one, and cleared to land on Rwy 7R. The pilot overshot the final to the north, conflicting with an RV on base for Rwy 7L. Then the Local Controller instructed the Cessna to turn left several times suggesting a heading of 270°, but the Cessna turned right conflicting with a Piper in the left downwind. A Brasher was issued.
RUNWAY INCURSIONS (11)
3/4 Taxied Past The Runway Hold Short Lines
Private Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by the DVT controller when the Piper crossed the hold short line of RWY 7R without ATC authorization.
3/14 Taxied Past The Runway Hold Short lines
Private Pilot
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The PIAE (Pipistrel LSA) was instructed to hold short of RWY 4R at Delta 5. The PIAE gave a good read back of the instructions, but the PIAE passed the hold short line for RWY 4R at Delta 5. The PIAE was told to hold their position, and they stopped, but their front nose gear was past the hold short lines, and most of the PIAE was on the taxiway, and the aircraft was well-clear of the runway edge line. A Cessna was departing on RWY 4R as all this was occurring, and no overflight occurred.
A Brasher was issued to the PIAE.
3/22 Taxied Past The Runway Hold Short lines
Private Pilot
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The Lancair was instructed to hold short of RWY22L at Delta 6, and the read back was correct. The aircraft was observed crossing the hold short line but stopping short of the runway edge lines. The Lancair was given a Brasher notice by ground control. The pilot later stated he was unfamiliar with the holding point for the hold short instructions.
3/25 Entering A Taxiway And Runway Without Authorization
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Out of Colorado
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The pilot deviation was reported by FFZ ATC when the Piper Navajo entered the runway and taxiway without a clearance.
4/3 Taxied Past The Runway Hold Short lines
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The Cessna 172 had landed Runway 22R and was instructed by the North Controller to turn left on Taxiway Bravo and hold short of Runway 22L and to monitor the South Controller frequency. The read back was correct. Another aircraft landed Runway 22L. The South Controller instructed the aircraft to exit with no delay at Taxiway Delta 5. An aircraft read back the “no delay to Delta 5” with their callsign, but the South Controller did not catch the incorrect aircraft reading back the instructions. The Cessna 172 had crossed the hold short line of Runway 22L, and the South Controller instructed them to hold their position. C172 stopped short of the runway edge line.
3/14 Taking Off Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The Piper was given a clearance to land on RWY 12C with a good read back received. The Piper was then observed to be taking off on RWY12C, and the Piper was asked if they were conducting a touch and go. The Piper advised that they did conduct a touch and go. The Piper then landed without incident, and a Brasher was issued.
3/19 Taxiing onto A Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Out of Texas
Tucson International Airport (TUS)
The Sirrus was given a heading and altitude to expect on their IFR departure release, and was told to hold short. The Cirrus read back the wrong information followed by cleared for takeoff. The controller heard the read back error, and told the pilot he was not cleared for takeoff. The Sirrus was now on the runway and holding in position.
3/19 Improper Operation Of An Airport Operations Vehicle
No Pilot
Tucson International Airport (TUS)
An Operations Vehicle was told to hold short of Runway 30 at Delta, but the vehicle immediately crossed Runway 30.
3/28 Crossing A Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Out Of California
Tucson International Airport (TUS)
The pilot deviation was reported by TUS when the Diamond Twin crossed RWY 12 without ATC Authorization.
3/22 Failure To Clear The Runway After Landing
Private Pilot
Prescott Airport (PRC)
The pilot deviation was reported by PRC when the Mooney failed to clear the runway after landing.
3/22 Taxiing Onto A Runway Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Out of California
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The Bonanza was instructed to taxi to the runway and contact the tower. The aircraft proceeded to taxi to the runway, and crossed the hold short bars, and continued onto the runway. The controller sent another aircraft around to avoid a conflict. The Bonanza taxied down the runway and exited the runway. Ground Control issued a Brasher to the Bonanza. While receiving the Brasher the aircraft violated Taxiway Alpha by taxiing without instructions.
TFR VIOLATIONS (2)
3/19 Unauthorized Entrance Into A VIP TFR
Private Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
A Bonanza entered the 30 NM VIP TFR ring 30 NM northeast of the Phoenix VOR at 5,000 ft heading eastbound on a 1200 code with no communications being established with ATC. The Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT) controller established communications about 10 miles NW of DVT and issued the Brasher warning.
3/20 Unauthorized Entrance Into A VIP TFR
Private Pilot
Phoenix Tracon (P50)
A Cessna 172 entered the active 30 mile ring of the VIP TFR near Casa Grande without authorization.
A Brasher was issued.
WRONG SURFACE LANDING (1)
3/21 Landing On The Wrong Surface
Private Pilot
Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC)
The Cessna called inbound to PRC, and the controller issued them traffic to follow, and cleared them to land on Runway 21R, and the read back was correct. On an approximate 1 mile final the Cessna asked the controller if they were number one, and cleared to land, and the controller replied affirmative. However the Cessna wound up landing on Taxiway Alpha, and there was a Piper at the end of Taxiway Alpha turning onto Taxiway Juliet.
SURFACE INCIDENT (3)
3/9 Taxiing On A Taxiway Without Authorization
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Out of California
Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Goodyear ATC when the Beechcraft Duke entered Taxiway Alpha without ATC authorization.
3/27 Taxiing On A Taxiway Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The Cessna was instructed by Ground Control to hold short of Taxiway Golf. The Cessna was then observed taxiing onto Taxiway Golf without Authorization.
4/10 Individual on The Airport Operations Area
Unidentified Person
Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
Phoenix ATC advised Airport Operations that an individual had gained access to the Airport Operations Area after jumping a perimeter fence. The individual had entered a taxiway near the runway causing an air-carrier to be sent around, and the individual was apprehended by law enforcement officers.