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 10, 2024, through June 13, 2024, there were thirty pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student Pilot through ATP. In addition to local pilots, there were twelve out of state pilots, and one foreign pilot that committed these deviations. Of the thirty deviations reported, there was a need to issue thirteen 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 comply with 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.
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATION (6)
5/9 IFR SID Deviation
ATP Pilot
Out of Kansas
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Dassault Falcon did not fly the FORPE 1 departure out of Phoenix as published, resulting in a loss of separation with parallel departure traffic.
5/10 IFR Altitude Deviation
Private Pilot
Out Of Texas
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported when the Cessna 210 climbed above his assigned altitude of 4,000 feet, resulting in a loss of separation with an air carrier.
5/28 IFR Altitude Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out of Kansas
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Albuquerque controller cleared the Beechjet BE40 to descend to, and maintain FL360, and the aircraft read back the clearance correctly. The BE40 was observed below the assigned altitude and was cleared back up to FL360. The BE40 made an unauthorized descent to 35,500 feet, which resulted in a loss of separation with an air carrier who was level at FL350
6/3 IFR Route & NORDO
ATP Pilot
Out Of Mexico
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Mazatlán controller asked another sector if they were talking to the Cessna Citation who was coming across the border at FL220 because the aircraft was NORDO at this point. The aircraft executed a left 360 degree turn which violated the 3nm protected airspace of the RUBY MOA which was active below FL230. The pilot checked in with the TUS TRACON who controlled the aircraft into TUS. A Brasher was issued.
6/6 IFR SID Deviation
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Out Of California
Phoenix Tracon (P50)
The TBM-700 departed Scottsdale but didn’t make the assigned turn. The aircraft appeared to fly the runway heading. The Biltmore controller utilized the Emergency Obstruction Video Map to vector the TBM to safety while climbing. A Brasher was issued.
6/8 IFR Altitude Deviation
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Albuquerque Controller advised the Piper that they were not cleared for the approach, and to maintain 7,000 feet. The controller then issued a low altitude alert. The Piper was observed at 6,200 feet in a 6,500 feet Minimum Instrument Vectoring area. Later the pilot called in, and advised he was the instructor pilot during this flight and apologized for the actions of the aircraft. The pilot knew they were not cleared for the approach however the student descended the aircraft before he recognized it and could initiate a climb.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (4)
5/8 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization
ATP/CFI Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Cessna 206 entered the Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
5/27 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Out of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Bonanza called the Verde Controller to request VFR flight following to the north. They were already in the Bravo Airspace at 3,700 feet. The Bonanza was given the Brasher warning by the Biltmore Controller.
5/30 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Out of Texas
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Cessna entered the Phoenix Bravo Airspace south of Phoenix in the 5,000 - 9,000 block and climbed to 6,500 feet. The Cessna eventually called the Willie controller for VFR Flight Following to Blythe and was issued the Brasher warning.
6/10 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Piper entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace near Chandler without authorization. There was no loss of separation. A Brasher was issued.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (4)
5/23 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot
Out of Nevada
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The Cirrus departed SDL airport heading NW-bound, and without contacting DVT tower, the aircraft entered the DVT Class Delta airspace from the SE at 3,200, and continued climbing on a NNW heading. The TRACON (P50) Biltmore Controller was contacted by DVT via the FAA shout line, and was asked to give the pilot the Brasher warning for DVT.
5/24 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot
Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The Cirrus entered the IWA Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications. There was no loss of separation, and the Brasher was issued by the Phoenix TRACON (P50).
The following two deviations were committed by the same pilot on the same flight.
5/26 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Student Pilot
Out of Utah
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The Cirrus was observed entering the Scottsdale (SDL) Class Delta Airspace from the N headed SE descending out of 4,000, and not on frequency. The controller reached out to the aircraft in the blind with no answer. Aircraft exited SDL airspace to the SE at 2,300, and the aircraft was observed violating Falcon Field airspace and continuing on to Chandler (CHD).
5/26 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Student Pilot
Out of Utah
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The Cirrus was observed entering the FFZ Class Delta Airspace from the NW and exiting the Class Delta to the S, and they were tagged as a violator by Scottsdale (SDL). Aircraft did not respond to calls on either the SDL or FFZ frequencies. Both the FFZ North and the South controllers had to adjust and maneuver their traffic as the Cirrus flew at pattern altitude through both finals. The aircraft was observed descending towards Chandler (CHD), and CHD confirmed they had made contact and would issue the Brasher. The pilot later called and stated they believed they were outside of the airspace per their Foreflight tablet.
RUNWAY INCURSIONS (8)
5/13 Entering The Runway Without Authorization
Student Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by DVT when the Piper failed to stop short of the runway hold short markings.
5/14 Entering The Runway Without Authorization
Student Pilot
Mesa Falcon Field Airport (FFZ)
The Cirrus student pilot, on a solo, entered the runway, and held in position on the runway without ATC authorization. Ground control had instructed the Cirrus to hold short of the runway, and the Cirrus gave a good read back. The Cirrus proceeded to line up, and wait on the runway with another aircraft inside of a 1/2 mile final. The controller issued Go-Around to the aircraft on final and instructed the Cirrus to exit the runway at the next taxiway, and a Brasher was issued.
5/19 Entering The Runway Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Out of Colorado
Glendale Airport (GEU)
The pilot deviation was reported by GEU when the Cessna taxied onto the runway without ATC authorization.
5/23 Taking Off Without Authorization
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The Piper was cleared to land on RWY 30L, and the read back of the clearance was correct. The Piper was then observed in the upwind of RWY 30L, and the controller asked if the Piper was going around, and the pilot advised the controller that they had conducted a Touch And Go. The Piper was then given the Brasher statement.
5/25 Crossing A Runway Without Authorization
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Out Of Colorado
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The Piper Navajo crossed Runway 22R without ATC authorization.
Ground Control (GC) instructed the Piper to taxi via Taxiway E and hold short of Runway 22R at Taxiway E6 for a Runway 22L departure. Pilot read back was correct. The Piper advised GC that their run-up was complete as they were holding short of Runway 22R. GC instructed the Piper to continue taxi and monitor the tower. The pilot read back was correct. The Piper crossed Runway 22R on Taxiway E6 without ATC authorization. The tower instructed a Cessna to go around that was on short final for Runway 22R.
5/27 Entering the Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Out Of Texas
Tucson International Airport (TUS)
The Cessna crossed the hold short bars for the runway after advising the tower that he was ready for takeoff. Another aircraft that was on an approximate half mile final was sent around. No overflight occurred.
5/31 Taking Off Without Authorization
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IAW)
The Piper was cleared to land on RWY 12R, and the aircraft read back the landing clearance. Later the aircraft was asked when it was in the upwind if they were a go around, and they advised that they were a touch and go. The aircraft remained in the pattern without further incident.
6/5 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Out Of Tennessee
Sky Harbor Airport (PHX)
The Piper Malibu was instructed to cross RWY 25L at H7 and taxi to RWY 25R via F. After crossing RWY 25L, the ground controller observed the Malibu turn from taxiway F onto Intersection F10. The ground controller instructed the Mailbu to stop. The aircraft came to a stop between the RWY 25R hold bars and runway edge line on F10 while an air carrier was on the departure roll on RWY 25R. A Brasher was issued.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL INSTRUCTIONS (1)
5/18 Failure To Follow Air Traffic Control Instructions
Private Pilot
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The pilot deviation was reported by FFZ when the Cessna didn’t follow ATC heading assignments in the pattern and conflicting with other traffic.
SURFACE INCIDENT (2)
5/9 Movement on A Taxiway Without Authorization
Unknown Pilot Certification
Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The pilot deviation was reported by IWA when a Cessna taxied onto taxiway Bravo without ATC authorization.
5/9 Movement on A Taxiway Without Authorization
Unknown Pilot Certification
Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The pilot deviation was reported by IWA when a Piper taxied onto taxiway Bravo without ATC authorization.
RESTRICTED AIRSPACE (2)
5/10 Flight Into Restricted Airspace Without Authorization
ATP/CFI Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Marchetti S211 appeared to violate R2310A/B without authorization, which was active from the surface to 17,000. The S211 mode C was indicating 11,500. P50 tracked the aircraft to IWA and had IWA issue the Brasher warning.
6/5 Flight Into Restricted Airspace Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Cirrus was VFR, at 11,500 feet, receiving flight following from Albuquerque Center. The Albuquerque controller issued the Cirrus a frequency change to the Phoenix Tracon (P50). The Cirrus read back the frequency correctly, but the Cirrus did not check on to the P50 frequency, and never talked to P50. While in a NORDO status, the Cirrus violated restricted area R2310. P50 called the R2310 range control and implemented a cease-fire in the area. A Brasher was issued.
TFR DEVIATIONS (3)
5/10 Entering A TFR Without Authorization
ATP/CFI Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Airspace Coordinator with the Southwest Coordination Center called ZAB. The Airspace Coordinator stated that a Cessna at 8,400 MSL violated the Wolf Fire TFR. The aircraft made a few loops on the south side then flew out the west side of the TFR. The Wolf Fire TFR is located near Heber, AZ.
5/19 Entering A TFR Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
A Beech Bonanza entered The Wildcat TRF without authorization. There was no loss of separation.
5/22 Entering A TFR Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Beech Bonanza aircraft had violated the Wildcat TFR (NOTAM #4/6422) on May 19 at 0045Z. At that time, the TFR was active at or below 09,000, and the aircraft transitioned the TFR at 7,500.