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 May 17, 2025 thru June 12, 2025 there were twenty-one pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student Pilot thru ATP/CFI Pilot. There were eleven out of state pilots, two foreign pilots, and military pilots that committed these deviations. Of the twenty-one deviations reported, there were only three Brashers issued for IFR deviations.
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.
Obviously, pilots don’t get the message to be more careful in their flying. Some of these deviations could be attributed to the “snowbirds” because of the relatively large number of out of state airplanes that were involved. No doubt many of these pilots may not be accustomed to flying in some of the complex/crowded airspace that we have here in Arizona.
I would certainly like to think that the information presented has been valuable to the pilots out there and will make them safer pilots.
Moving on, pilots must listen carefully to ATC instructions and comply with them, and if they can’t comply, tell ATC why they can’t. Also, when flying in controlled airspace, pilots should never do something on their own but always talk to ATC before they do anything that may differ 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 observe the airport, and runway markings, and signs and obey them. Fly with care and forethought, don’t be part of the problem.
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATIONS (10)
5/5 Altitude Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out of Florida
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Citation was assigned a climb to 5,000 feet but leveled at 3,000 feet resulting in a loss of separation with terrain/obstacles.
5/16 Altitude Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Gulfstream descended below the published altitude for an intersection on the BRUSR arrival.
5/23 Altitude Deviation
ATP/ Pilot
Out of New Jersey
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Learjet descended below his ATC assigned altitude of 11,000 feet and conflicted with slower traffic at 10,00 feet.
5/27 Route Deviation
ATP Pilot
Out of Delaware
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Dassault Falcon was off course from their departure procedure because their FMS was unable to capture a designated fix. As a result, the Falcon proceeded to an alternate fix which put them in proximity to the Yarnell Assigned Airspace. The center controller vectored the Falcon to avoid the ATC Assigned Airspace and then cleared them to an alternative fix. A Brasher Warning was issued.
5/28 Altitude Deviation
ATP/CFI Pilot
Out of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Citation climbed above its ATC assigned altitude without authorization.
5/29 Altitude Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out of Canada
Tucson TRACON (U90)
The Bombardier Global Express descended below its assigned altitude of 11,000 feet resulting in a loss of separation with terrain/obstacles.
6/3 Altitude Deviation
Private Pilot
Out of Ohio
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported when the ATC controller observed the Piper was level at 3,000 feet. The aircraft was issued a climb to 5,000 feet, and a low altitude alert was also issued to validate the loss of separation with terrain/obstacles.
6/4 Separation Deviation
Military Pilots
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
Four F16’s were working in the JACKAL MOA, and they spilled out of the MOA which resulted in a loss of separation with an air carrier. The closest proximity was 4.13 NM, and 1200 feet vertical. A Brasher warning was issued.
6/5 Altitude Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out of Michigan
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Piper Cheyenne failed to fly at an ATC assigned altitude and began a descent to FL220 without authorization. A Brasher warning was issued.
6/11 Altitude Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out of Ukraine
Phoenix (PHX)
The deviation was reported by the Phoenix Tracon (P50) when the Antonov AN-12, departed Sky Harbor, and didn’t climb at the minimum climb rate which resulted a loss of separation with terrain/obstacles.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (1)
5/30 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The deviation was reported when the Cherokee 6 entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without ATC authorization.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (3)
5/18 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot
Out Of California
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The Cessna entered the Scottsdale Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
5/26 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported when the Mooney M-20 entered the Deer Valley Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
6/8 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The pilot deviation was reported when the Cessna entered the Scottsdale Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
RUNWAY INCURSIONS (5)
5/22 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Out of Nevada
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The deviation was reported when the Cirrus crossed the hold short line of the runway without ATC authorization resulting in a loss of separation with a Piper. The closest proximity was 222 feet.
5/26 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Comm/CFI Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The deviation was reported when the Experimental Acro Sport crossed the hold short line of the runway without ATC authorization resulting in a loss of separation with a Cessna. The closest proximity was 500 feet.
5/29 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
ATP/CFI Pilot
Chandler Airport (CHD)
The Cessna entered the runway without ATC authorization.
6/4 Conducting a touch-and-go Without ATC Authorization
Unknown Pilot Certification
Mesa Williams Gateway Airport (IWA)
The Piper conducted a touch-and-go without ATC authorization.
6/5 Entering a Runway Without Authorization
Unknown Pilot Certification
Tucson International Airport (TUS)
The Piper took off without a clearance and conducted a touch-and-go without ATC authorization.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS (2)
5/15 Complying with ATC Instructions?
Private Pilot
Prescott Airport (PRC)
A Sportstar was cleared for takeoff on RWY 21L, and fly straight out, and another aircraft on 21R was airborne, and on a runway heading when ATC approved the Sportstar to turn right, and pass over 21R, and thus “cutting off” the other aircraft on upwind on RWY21R. ATC issued a Traffic Advisory to the Sportstar only, and neither aircraft were issued a Traffic Alert nor did either aircraft report traffic insight. The closest proximity was 0.04 NM (< 250’) and 100 feet vertical.
5/19 Not Complying with ATC instructions
Student Pilot
Out of Colorado
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The student in the Cheetah didn’t make his turn to RWY 25L as instructed and thus conflicted with traffic on RWY 25R.