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 August 9 through September 12, 2024, there were eighteen pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Private Pilot through ATP, and there were nine out of state pilots, two military, and one foreign pilot that committed these deviations. Of the eighteen 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, 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 (9)
8/8 Failure to Fly The Departure As Published
Commercial Pilot
Out Of Texas
Phoenix TRACON (P50
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the pilot didn’t fly the IZZZO Eight Departure as published. There was no loss of separation.
8/8 Clearance Deviation
ATP/CFI Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The aircraft read back the initial clearance correctly. As the controller cleared the aircraft to change to the advisory frequency, he advised the aircraft to “Call on this frequency after the missed approach.” The aircraft did not contact the controller after the missed approach, nor did he fly the missed approach procedure for the initial ILS approach. The aircraft flew eastbound and executed an RNAV approach to the airport without being cleared to do so. A Brasher issued.
8/12 Route Deviation
ATP Pilot (Military)
Out of Florida
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The pilot advised the Albuquerque Controller that he was proceeding direct SKTTR. The aircraft did not fly the routing as cleared. A Brasher issued.
8/16 Failure to Fly The Departure As Published
Commercial Pilot (Foreign)
Out of Israel
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot didn’t fly the Stanfield Four Departure out of Phoenix Sky Harbor as published.
8/22 Altitude Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification (Military)
Tucson Tracon (U90)
The deviation was reported when the F16 climbed above the ATC assigned altitude. A Brasher was issued.
8/23 Route Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Albuquerque Controller observed the Piper making a turn and advised the aircraft that he had been assigned the present heading. The Piper had made an unauthorized turn which resulted in the aircraft violating the 3-mile protected airspace of the GLADDEN MOA, which was active. A Brasher was issued.
8/28 Route Deviation
Private Pilot
Out of California
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
Upon reaching WLVRN intersection, the aircraft turned approximately 40 degrees right of course thus heading towards the GLADDEN MOA, which was active at FL400, and below. The controller saw the turn, and immediately turned the aircraft back to the west. The aircraft was less than 2 miles from the boundary of GLADDEN before establishing a safe distance clear. The pilot received a Brasher notice.
8/29 Altitude & Route Deviation
ATP/CFI Pilot
Out Of South Carolina
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
An air carrier was at FL250 descending VIA the HYDRR1 approach into KPHX. A second air carrier at FL250 was also descending VIA the HYDRR1 approach into KPHX. The second air carrier was 10 miles ahead of a Cessna Citation. The Citation stated he could not comply with the arrival due to the Wake Turbulence behind the B737. The Citation was told to reduce speed to 250 knots, descend and maintain FL200. The Citation instead climbed to FL260, and asked for a right turn. The controller assigned a 5 degree offset to the right.
9/3 Altitude Deviation
Comm/CFI Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The pilot was given and correctly read back a clearance to cross the Stanfield VOR at or above 6,000 ft and perform the VOR RWY 5 approach. The aircraft began to descend below 6,000 ft approximately 7.7 miles southeast of the VOR. The controller tried to reach the aircraft on the guard frequency. Later the controller gave a low altitude alert to the aircraft in the blind as they were already off frequency. At that same time the aircraft was observed descending from 4,600 to 4,400 which was below the MIA, then they climbed back up to 4,600, although no verbal acknowledgement was received. The aircraft again was observed descending to 4,400 ft approximately .83 miles southeast of the VOR, but no second alert was given. Later in call the pilot stated that they thought once they were cleared off the frequency that they were free to descend with the stack and didn't realize they needed to continue to comply with the altitude restriction until reaching the VOR.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATION (3)
8/8 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Out Of Tennessee
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the TRACON when the aircraft entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without authorization and conflicted with an air carrier that was descending on the Star arrival procedure.
8/28 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Out Of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The deviation was reported by the TRACON when the Cessna entered the Phoenix Class Bravo airspace without authorization.
9/1 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Out Of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Mitsubishi picked up their IFR clearance before the Glendale (GEU) tower closed and was instructed to contact the Phoenix Biltmore sector to get a release. The aircraft was observed departing Glendale southwest bound and climbed through the PHX Class B Airspace without establishing communications and without a clearance. The aircraft attempted to contact Apache on 128.65 but the controller did not receive a response to their transmissions. Multiple controllers tried to contact the aircraft on their frequency as well as on Guard. The aircraft checked on with an Albuquerque Center Controller requesting their IFR Clearance. The Mitsubishi was switched back to the Biltmore sector and the controller issued the Brasher warning.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATION (2)
8/6 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Commercial Pilot
Out of Arkansas
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The Piper Navajo entered the Scottsdale Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications. There was no loss of separation.
9/4 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Commercial Pilot
Out of California
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The Rockwell Commander flew into Scottsdale airspace from the east to the northwest climbing through 3,000 ft. The SDL controller attempted to establish radio communication without success. No traffic was in conflict, but traffic was called out to aircraft in the airspace. The Commander checked in with Phoenix Deer Valley airport and was issued the Brasher.
RUNWAY INCURSION (1)
8/4 Departing A Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
The Cessna was given instructions to taxi to RWY 6R via RWY 33, and to hold short of RWY 6R. The pilot read the instructions back. When the controller gave him instructions to fly straight out on departure, and cleared the Cessna to takeoff on RWY 6R, the pilot read the instructions back for RWY 6R but didn’t read back the straight-out departure. The controller reissued the departure instructions, and the pilot read it back, but departed on Runway 33.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL INSTRUCTIONS (1)
8/29 Failure to Follow Air Traffic Control Instructions
Comm/CFI Pilot
Prescott Airport (PRS)
The Cessna was on the VOR 12 approach and was issued circling to RWY 21L on the Right Downwind and had read back the instructions correctly. When he overflew RWY21L, an aircraft was departing RWY21L. The aircraft was issued the Brasher warning.
TFR DEVIATIONS (2)
8/6 Entering A TFR Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
It was reported to Albuquerque Center by the Prescott Fire Dispatch, that an RV8, flew through and violated the TFR for the Shiprock Fire. No services were being provided by Albuquerque Center and no Brasher was issued.
8/8 Entering A TFR Without Authorization
ATP/CFI Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the light sport airplane descended through the Cordes Fire TFR.