by Jim Timm
These pilot deviations need to be examined to determine if a common threat exists that we should address to help reduce the number of deviations that occur, and thus enhance aviation safety.
In the reporting period from June 9 through July 13 there were nineteen pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO office.
These deviations were committed by pilot certificate levels ranging from Private through Commercial/CFI, and of these nineteen deviations reported, there was a need to issue nine Brashers. In this period’s report there were also five out of state pilots that committed the deviations.
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, 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 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. Please fly with care and forethought.
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATION
5/30 IFR Altitude
Private Pilot
Out of Nevada
Tucson TRACON
The aircraft departed Avra Valley (AVQ) climbing to 7,000 feet. The controller RADAR identified the aircraft and issued a climb to 17,000. The aircraft read back was correct for a climb to 17,000 feet. The aircraft had made a climb to 7,500 ft., and then started a decent to 7,100 ft. The controller again issued a clearance to 17,000 ft., and the aircraft began a climb to the assigned altitude. In the process the aircraft came within 2.75 miles horizontally and 500 ft. vertically with an air carrier. As a result, a Brasher was issued to the errant aircraft by its destination, Bakersfield ATCT.
6/12 IFR - Altitude
ATP/CFI
Out of California
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
Due to the loss of a Remote Communications Air/Ground (RCAG) site, communications were lost with the aircraft who was at 11,000 feet. The aircraft made an unauthorized descent to 9,700 feet, about 4 miles prior to the IAF for the GPS 03 approach to Sedona. This descent resulted in the aircraft descending below the 10,000 Minimum IFR Altitude (MIA). Per lost communication procedures, the aircraft should have executed a visual approach, but rather still flew the GPS 03 approach and began a descent prior to IAF. A Brasher was issued through a pilot to pilot relay.
6/17 IFR - SID
ATP (Suspected Not Type Rated in Falcon 50)
Out of Texas
Phoenix TRACON
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the aircraft didn’t fly the ECLPS 1 departure as published which resulted in a conflict with an air carrier.
6/28 IFR - SID
COMM//CFI
Out of Nevada
Phoenix TRACON
The aircraft was cleared via the FLG1 departure which goes to OATES intersection. The aircraft departed and shortly after turned eastbound. The controller advised the aircraft that they should continue to OATES on the FLG1departure. After the aircraft was above the minimum vectoring altitude the controller turned them on course, and a Brasher Warning was issued.
6/28 IFR - Failure to Close Flight Plan
Pilot Certification UNK
Out of Utah
Denver Center
The pilot deviation was reported by Denver Center when the aircraft failed to cancel their flight plan at Page after landing.
CLASS BRAVO DEVIATIONS
6/10 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Permission
Commercial Pilot
Phoenix (PHX)
The aircraft was observed flying northbound three miles east of Phoenix (PHX) inside of the PHX Class Delta Airspace and they had not received any type of communication from the aircraft. PHX tagged the aircraft on the STARS, and the Scottsdale (SDL) ATCT notified PHX that the aircraft was landing there. SDL ATCT issued the Brasher warning.
6/12 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without Permission
Student Pilot
Phoenix TRACON
The Piper entered the PHX Class Bravo Airspace without authorization. This occurred in the Scottsdale area, and there was no loss of separation.
CLASS DELTA DEVIATIONS
6/4 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The aircraft entered the DVT Class Delta Airspace without establishing two-way radio communications. There was no loss of separation.
6/13 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Pilot Certification UNK
Out of California
Williams Gateway Airport (IWA)
The aircraft entered the IWA Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications. There was no loss of separation.
7/7 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Williams Gateway Airport (IWA)
The aircraft entered the IWA Class Delta Airspace from the west at approximately four miles west of the airport at 3,500 ft. altitude, and then turned northwest, and exited the Delta Airspace. The aircraft flew through the path of an IFR Cessna that was departing IWA on an assigned heading of 220° and was climbing to 4,000 ft. The errant aircraft ultimately landed at Mesa Falcon Field.
RUNWAY INCURSIONS
6/1 Taking Off on a Runway Without Authorization
Student Pilot
Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC)
The Local Controller (LC) instructed the errant aircraft (C172) to line up and wait Runway 21L. The read back was correct. The LC then contacted Ground Control (GC) and advised they could cross an aircraft on Runway 21L behind an aircraft that was already cleared for takeoff and was in front of the errant aircraft (C172), and that errant aircraft (C172) would be holding in position. GC instructed the Cessna 172 to cross Runway 21L. The LC instructed the previous departure, a Company Cessna 172, to fly straight out and gave them a frequency to contact. The errant aircraft (C172) read back the clearance for the Company Cessna 172. The LC did not catch the incorrect read back but saw the errant aircraft (C172) start its departure roll while the Cessna 172 was crossing the runway and instructed them to hold their position. The errant aircraft stopped approximately abeam Taxiway Delta 6, and once the Cessna 172 was clear of the runway, LC cleared the errant aircraft for takeoff.
6/8 Entering a Runway Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported when the aircraft crossed the Hold Bars at RWY 7L without permission.
6/23 Taking Off on a Runway Without Authorization
ATP/CFI Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The aircraft was issued instructions to line up and wait on runway 7R full length for traffic departing downfield. Shortly after, the tower advised instructions to an air carrier who was at C3 intersection that there was an aircraft at full length holding in position and issued a takeoff clearance for the air carrier at the C3 intersection. However, both the air carrier and the aircraft holding full length responded causing a garbled response. The aircraft holding full length began its takeoff roll. Tower advised the aircraft to stop and hold position multiple times, but the aircraft didn't respond and departed off of runway 7R anyway. The air carrier read back that they were holding short of RWY 7R due to the confusion on frequency and observing the aircraft on the runway. The air carrier never crossed the hold bars at C3, and the aircraft that was to hold was issued a Brasher by the local north controller.
6/23 Entering a Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC)
The Cessna was crossing Runway 21R at Taxiway Alpha 3, and Ground Control (GC) instructed the Cessna to taxi via Taxiway Charlie to Runway 21L. The read back was correct; however the Cessna did not make the left turn onto Taxiway Charlie, but continued straight ahead and crossed the hold short line of Runway 21L at Taxiway Charlie 6. The aircraft on final to Runway 22L observed The Cessna crossing the hold short line and they advised the Local Control that they were initiating a go around. GC issued a 180° turn for the Cessna to clear Runway 21L, and a Brasher was issued.
6/30 Entering a Runway Without Authorization
ATP/CFI Pilot
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by DVT when the aircraft entered Runway 7R without ATC authorization.
TFR INCURSIONS
6/28 Entering a TFR Without Authorization
Commercial/CFI
Phoenix TRACON
A controller noticed a VFR target inside an active TFR, SFC-7000 for firefighting (active fire). ADS-B identified the aircraft. The controller called the SDL Tower, and a Brasher warning was issued.
6/28 Entering a TFR Without Authorization
Student Pilot
Phoenix TRACON
The Cessna entered the active firefighting TFR 3/7544. A Brasher issued by the SDL Tower.
6/28 Entering a TFR Without Authorization
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Phoenix TRACON
The Piper flew through the TFR FDC 3/7544 without authorization. There was no loss of separation. Location: Scottsdale.
MOVEMENT AREA DEVIATION
6/29 Taxiing in a Movement Area Without Authorization
Student Pilot
Goodyear Municipal Airport
The Piper pilot called Ground Control (GC) while on the FBO ramp and asked where he could do a run-up. GC instructed the aircraft to use the north run-up area, and the aircraft proceeded there via the ramp. The student continued to taxi and entered Taxiway A at R2. When informed that the student had entered a taxiway he stopped. GC issued a Brasher to the student, and he called the tower. The tower switched him back to GC, and the aircraft was eventually taxied to the run-up area. When completed, the student was taxied to the runway, and departed. ATC contacted the school to discuss the issue.