by Jim Timm
These pilot deviations need to be examined to determine if a common threat exists that should be addressed to help reduce the number of deviations that occur, and thus enhance aviation safety.
In the reporting period from April 13 through May 11 there were seventeen pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO office. These deviations were committed by pilot certificate levels ranging from Student through ATP/CFI, and a military pilot. Of these seventeen deviations reported, there was a need to issue nine Brashers. In this period’s report there were also seven out-of-state pilots, that included four Canadians, that committed the deviations. It appears that the percentage of Brashers issued this month may have been up a bit.
Note, a controller will issue a Brasher notification when further FAA action will be taken, and the controller is thus giving the airman the opportunity to make note of the occurrence and collect information and their thoughts for their future interaction with 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. When flying in controlled airspace, pilots should never be creative, but rather, 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.
IFR DEVIATION
4/10 IFR Altitude
Military Pilot
Tucson TRACON (U90)
The F16 departed Davis Monthan AFB on RWY 12, and was instructed to climb to FL170, and was observed at FL180, and then descending to FL 170. The F16 pilot advised they had overshot their assigned altitude, and had corrected it.
4/14 IFR Altitude
ATP/CFI Pilot
Out of Texas
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Challenger busted their assigned altitude of 5,000 feet when departing Scottsdale Airport.
4/22 IFR Route &Altitude
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Piper was cleared for the ILS RWY 5 approach at Casa Grande (CGZ), however, when executing the missed approach the Piper executed their own missed approach, not the published missed approach. They had turned the opposite direction. Through coordination with the Phoenix TRACON a Brasher was issued.
When the pilot called the FAA, he stated he had made a mistake, and should have flown the published missed approach. He saw another airplane in the pattern and followed it, and then realized it was wrong.
4/24 IFR Flight Plan
Comm/CFI Pilot
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Piper was cleared into the Coolidge Airport (P08), and they advised the Albuquerque Controller that they would “close their flight plan on the ground”. The Piper did not close their flight plan. When Albuquerque contacted dispatch they were told that the Piper was enroute back to DVT. A Brasher was issued through dispatch.
The pilot called the facility and stated that they attempted to contact Prescott (PRS) FSS for 20 minutes with no response. When they departed they attempted to contact PRC FSS on 122.5 with no success.
5/7 IFR SID
UNK Pilot Certification
Out Of Canada
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Falcon-7X filed and was issued the FLG1 SID to OATES. Approximately 12 miles before OATES, the aircraft turned right, and flew back towards FLG. The controller issued a Brasher warning.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATION
5/2 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Approval
Private Pilot
Out Of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Diamond DA40 aircraft departed Goodyear Airport (GYR) VFR and entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without a clearance. The DA40 called the Class Bravo Willy sector controller for VFR flight advisories enroute to Winkler County (Texas) Airport (INK). The Willy Sector controller issued the Brasher warning.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATION
4/10 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Out Of California
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The Rockwell Commander 114 was observed transitioning northbound through the east side of DVT's Class Delta airspace without first establishing communication with the tower. The north and south local controllers both reached out to the aircraft with no response. The aircraft later was later tagged up with the Phoenix TRACON (P50) for flight following. The DVT ground controller contacted P50 to have them issue the Brasher. Traffic was issued to an Archer on the upwind of the departure end of RWY 7R, referencing the Commander.
4/17 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
A Cessna entered the Falcon Field (FFZ) Class Delta Airspace from the south at 2,300 feet. They flew approximately 1.5 miles into the FFZ airspace, and then turned around to return to Chandler Airport (CHD). No traffic needed to be diverted to avoid the intruder. The Chandler Tower issued the Brasher warning.
4/20 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without Permission
UNK Pilot Certification
Out Of Canada
Williams Gateway Tower (IWA)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Gateway Tower then the Piper entered the Gateway Class Delta Airspace after being instructed to remain clear of the airspace.
4/24 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
ATP/CFI Pilot
Out Of Ohio
Williams Gateway Tower (IWA)
The Citation entered the Gateway Class Delta Airspace from the SE at 3,300 feet. They continued North, and after being tagged up as an airspace violator IWA was called by Falcon Field (FFZ), and the Phoenix TRACON (P50). FFZ advised they were talking to the aircraft and they were instructed to issue the Brasher. P50 advised that they had provided service to the Citation, and had validated their Mode C signal. No other aircraft were impacted.
5/3 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
ATP/CFI Pilot
Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR)
The Cirrus entered the Goodyear Class Delta Airspace from the southeast, and was northbound at 2,300; and was descending to 2,100. The Cirrus conflicted with an aircraft that was on a left downwind for RWY 21L. A traffic alert was issued, and the aircraft on downwind reported the traffic in sight. The Cirrus never established communications with the Goodyear tower, continued north, and landed at Glendale. The Goodyear controller asked the Glendale tower if they were talking to the Cirrus at the time of the occurrence. and Glendale stated negative. When the Cirrus checked in with Glendale, they called Goodyear, and Goodyear asked Glendale to Brasher the pilot, and have them call Goodyear.
ATC INSTRUCTIONS
4/13 Failure To Follow ATC Instructions (Also reported as a NMAC)
Student Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The solo student, flying a Piper Cherokee, was cleared for takeoff on runway 25L at DVT, and was instructed to fly straight out. When the Piper was in the upwind the controller instructed the Piper to follow traffic ahead and to their right in the crosswind turn. the Piper reported that traffic off his right was in sight, and began a crosswind turn inside of the aircraft that was in the crosswind. Their closest proximity was 0.10 NM laterally and 300' vertically.
4/21 Failure To Follow ATC Instructions (Also reported as a NMAC)
Comm/CFI Pilot
Out of New Mexico
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The Piper Cherokee was instructed to take off on RWY 22L and to fly straight out. The Piper read back the instructions and flew straight out. Approximately two miles in the upwind the Piper started a right turn to the north without authorization, causing a conflict with another aircraft that had departed off of runway 22R, and was told to extend up wind. The other aircraft reported that a Cherokee had cut them off and was at same altitude approximately 200 feet away. The other aircraft stopped their crosswind turn to pass behind the Cherokee. A controller issued a Brasher to the Piper Cherokee for turning without permission. Later the Piper Cherokee entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
RUNWAY INCURSION
4/11 Entering A Runway Without Authorization (Aircraft Under Tow)
Not Applicable
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
An aircraft under tow entered RWY 22L without ATC authorization.
4/11 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Student Pilot
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The controller issued an instruction for crossing RWY 4R to an airport vehicle with an aircraft in tow. A Piper crossed RWY 4R behind the airport vehicle and truck towing the aircraft without a RWY crossing clearance. There were no aircraft landing within one mile, and there was no disruption of air traffic.
4/16 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Comm/CFI Pilot
Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC)
A Cessna advised the Controller that he was holding short of Runway 3R. The controller acknowledged by saying Roger. Approximately 3 minutes later, the Cessna proceeded onto Runway 3R, and asked if the controller had cleared them to line up and wait on Runway 3R. The controller advised negative, and issued go around instructions to an aircraft on final due to the Cessna on the runway.
4/16 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Student Pilot
Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC)
The controller instructed the Cessna to enter a left downwind for Runway 3R. The read back was correct. A few minutes later, the controller advised the Cessna of a runway change and cleared the aircraft to land on Runway 3L. The read back was correct, but the Cessna turned base, and lined up for, and landed on Runway 3R.