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 July 12, 2024, through August 8, 2024, there were fifteen pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student Pilot through ATP, and there were six out of state pilots that committed these deviations. Of the fifteen deviations reported, there was a need to issue five 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 (4)
7/8 Exceeding a Clearance Void Time
Private Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The pilot took off several minutes after the Clearance Void Time without advising ATC of his intensions, and received a Brasher warning.
7/20 Altitude Deviation
Private Pilot
Out Of California
Phoenix Sky Harbor TRACON (P50)
The Socata TBM7 inbound to PHX, and was issued an altitude 0f 3000 feet, but descended to 2600 ft without a clearance. The MVA for the area was 3000.
7/22 Altitude Deviation
Commercial Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Pilatus was cleared to climb to FL300, and provided a good read back. The Pilatus reached FL305 and was issued FL310 with a good read back. The Pilatus reached FL312 before going back to FL310. There was conflicting traffic at FL320.
7/22 No Radio Deviation ATP/CFI
Pilot Out of Texas
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Gulfstream was in communication with an ZAB controller, and the controller cleared the Gulfstream to contact Albuquerque Center on 128.45. Aircraft did not respond to that call, nor any subsequent attempts made by ATC at that time. The Gulfstream remained out of contact with ATC for about 40 minutes when an LA center (ZLA) controller established communications. A Brasher issued.
RUNWAY INCURSION (4)
7/11 Departing A Runway Without Authorization
Student Pilot
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The pilot deviation was reported by IWA when the Piper departed on a runway without ATC authorization
7/23 Crossing A Runway Hold Line Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Out Of Oregon
Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC)
The pilot deviation was reported by the PRC ATC then the Bonanza crossed the runway hold line without ATC authorization.
7/28 Crossing A Runway Hold Line Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Out Of New Mexico
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by the DVT ATC when the Bonanza crossed the runway hold line without ATC authorization.
7/30 Landing On A Runway That Was Not Assigned
Comm/CFI Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by DVT when the Cessna landed on a runway that was not assigned by ATC.
ATC INSTRUCTIONS (2)
7/8 Failure To Follow ATC Instructions
ATP Pilot
Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
The pilot deviation was reported by RYN when the Cessna did not follow ATS’s pattern entry instructions.
7/29 Failure To Follow ATC Instructions
Private Pilot
Out Of California
Prescott Municipal Airport
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON (P50) when the Marchetti did not fly the ATC assigned heading.
TFR DEVIATIONS (2)
7/6 Entering A TFR Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Out Of Michigan
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Snowshed TFR was active 13,000 and below, and they said that a VFR Mooney had flown through the TFR coming within a mile and a half of the fire while other aircraft were in the area trying to fight the fire. ZAB was not providing any services to the Mooney, but the ZAB controller identified the target and tracked it to the Tucson TRACON (U90) airspace.
7/27 Entering A TFR Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Diamond Katana called the Phoenix TRACON (P50) to request flight following. When P50 identified the Diamond they were inside of the Adessa Fire Fighting TFR, which was active from the surface to 8,500 feet. P50 advised the Diamond that they had violated the TFR, and issued a heading for the aircraft's expeditious exiting of the TFR. The Diamond was changed over to the ZAB controllers frequency where, he was issued the Brasher warning.
RESTRICTED AIRSPACE DEVIATION (1)
8/3 Entering Restricted Airspace Without Authorization
Student Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The ZAB controller received a call from Luke Air Force Base (LUF) Approach asking if they were working a VFR aircraft operating in restricted area R2305, which was active from FL240 and below. the ZAB controller was not, but they identified the aircraft and were able to contact the pilot, and issued a Brasher Warning.
SURFACE INCIDENT (1)
7/3 Entrance On The Airport Without Authorization
Comm/CFI
Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The pilot deviation was reported by IWA when a Piper entered a taxiway without ATC authorization. A Brasher was issued.
VEHICLE/PERSON DEVIATION (1)
7/12 A Vehicle Entered A Runway Without Authorization
N/A
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX)
A vehicle exited a taxiway and crossed the hold short line and entered the runway.