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 August 11 through September 14 there were eighteen pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO office.
These deviations were committed by pilot certificate levels ranging from Private through ATP, and two Military pilots. In this reporting period there were also five out of state pilots that committed the deviations. Of these eighteen deviations reported, there was a need to issue ten Brashers.
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 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
8/16 IFR Altitude Deviation
Military Pilot
Tucson TRACON
Three F16’s departed Tucson on a northbound STEREO Route climbing to 17,000’ MSL. One F16 climbed on their own through FL188. While the aircraft were climbing, they requested a continued climb due to weather. The controller advised them to maintain 17,000’ and called Albuquerque Center to advise them of the request. The Tucson TRACON issued a Brasher to the F16 that had climbed through FL188
8/17 IFR Standard Instrument Departure (SID) Deviation
ATP*
Out Of Oklahoma
Van Nuys (VNY)
The Hawker H25B Corporate Jet was cleared by Pre-Departure Clearance to depart Van Nuys Airport (VNY) on RWY 16R via the WLKKR4 SID. The SID assigns a right turn to 210 degrees after the PPRRY Way Point. Instead, the aircraft turned left to a 124-degree (137T) track without a clearance. The Ground Controller at the destination airport, Seattle Paine Field issued the Brasher statement.
*Arizona Pilot
8/23 IFR Altitude Deviation
ATP/CFI
Out of Tennessee
Scottsdale Airport
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the SF-50 Cirrus Vision Jet descended below its assigned altitude of 7,000 feet, which resulted in a loss of separation with terrain/obstacles. The Cirrus was not issued a low altitude alert.
9/2 IFR Standard Instrument Departure (SID) Deviation
Private Pilot
Out Of Oregon
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Biltmore Controller noticed that the Mooney M20 turned northwest bound out of 2,800’ rather than 4,000’ as they should have done on the DVT3 Departure. This occurred in the Deer Valley (DVT) Class Delta Airspace and placed the aircraft toward the usual traffic pattern. The Biltmore Controller reported the issue to management and gave the Pilot a Brasher warning.
9/8 IFR Altitude Deviation
Military
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The F35 was level at 15,000 feet. At 1657z, another aircraft checked on with the Albuquerque Controller, stating he was out of 14,800 feet, and climbing to FL210. The Albuquerque Controller climbed the aircraft to FL260. Two aircraft read back the clearance, so the Albuquerque Controller reissued the clearance to the aircraft again. Once again, two aircraft answered the clearance. At this time the Albuquerque Controller observed the F35 climbing out of 15,000 feet. The Albuquerque Controller re-issued 15,000 feet to the F35. The F35 had taken and acted on a clearance intended for another aircraft and had made an unauthorized climb to 16,300 feet. The event occurred near Phoenix, and the Albuquerque Controller issued a Brasher to the F35 pilot.
CLASS BRAVO DEVIATIONS
8/21 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Commercial Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Piper Cheyenne climbed into the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without a clearance while VFR, and contacted the Santan Sector Controller to pick up an IFR clearance that was on file and was given a Brasher warning.
8/29 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Private Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON then the Beech Bonanza entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
(Data showed the aircraft registration had been canceled & the pilot medical had expired.)
8/30 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Commercial/CFI
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Cirrus was observed entering the PHX Class Bravo Airspace without authorization southwest of Falcon Field where the floor of the Bravo airspace is 2,700 feet, and the aircraft was observed at 3,700 feet. The VFR target was tracked to Williams Gateway Airport (IWA), and IWA called the Phoenix TRACON informing them they were in contact with the aircraft. IWA was instructed to issue a Brasher warning.
9/4 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining a Clearance
Private Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The VFR target entered the Phoenix Class B Airspace just northeast of Mesa Falcon Field in the 5,000 ft block of Bravo Airspace. The aircraft continued northbound, exited Class B, then re-entered the Class Bravo Airspace in the 7,000 block of Airspace. The aircraft eventually landed at Prescott Airport (PRC). PRC ATCT issued the Brasher.
9/5 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Private Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Beech Bonanza violated the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace 10 miles northwest of Sky Harbor airport in the 4,000-9,000 shelf at 4,400 feet while climbing. The pilot called the Phoenix TRACON prior to the Biltmore sector controller accepting the handoff from Luke Approach. The ADSB information for this aircraft was incorrectly displayed, and the Pilot was made aware of this discrepancy. The aircraft ended up climbing to 5,000’ prior to exiting the 4,000-9,000’ shelf. There was no Loss of separation.
(Note: The pilot had an expired medical.)
9/13 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Obtaining A Clearance
Commercial/CFI Pilot
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Piper Seminole entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without authorization. There was no loss of separation.
CLASS CHARLIE DEVIATION
8/31 Entering Class Charlie Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Private Pilot
Tucson TRACON (U90)
The aircraft violated the Tucson Class Charlie Airspace and landed at Ryan Field (RYN). The Tucson TRACON called RYN to issue a Brasher, and to give the pilot the TRACON phone number. The pilot called the TRACON and advised them the aircraft had some maintenance and GPS issues. No other traffic was affected.
CLASS DELTA DEVIATIONS
8/11 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Commercial Pilot
Prescott Regional Airport (PRC)
The Lancair entered the PRC Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications. There was no loss of separation. The Brasher Warning was issued by the PRC Ground Controller.
8/30 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Communication
Pilot Certification UNK
Tucson Ryan Field (RYN)
The pilot deviation was reported by Ryan ATC when the Air Tractor entered the Ryan Class Delta Airspace without first establishing two-way radio communications.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL INSTRUCTIONS
8/25 Failure to follow Air Traffic Control Instructions
Private Pilot
Mesa Falcon Field Airport (FFZ)
While in the pattern the Piper Cherokee turned to follow the wrong aircraft creating a conflict. ATC observed the incorrect turn and issued the Cherokee go-around instructions with a climb. The Cherokee didn’t follow ATC's instructions, creating further conflicts in the pattern.
(This was during a practical test with a DPE on board.)
SURFACE INCIDENT (TAXI INSTRUCTIONS)
8/9 Failure To Follow Taxi Instructions
Pilot Certificat UNK
Out of Canada
Williams Gateway Airport (IWA)
The A-4 Skyhawk Fighter entered Taxiway PAPA without a Clearance. The aircraft was issued the taxi instructions to RWY 30L via ALPHA & NOVEMBER. Ground Control observed the aircraft passing Taxiway NOVEMBER, and tried to reach out to them but they didn’t reply. Both local controllers tried to reach out to them but couldn’t get a reply. Ground Control reattempted to establish contact, and the aircraft replied as they made the turn off of Alpha, and onto Taxiway PAPA. Ground Control told them to hold position, and then reassigned them to RWY 30C & switched them to the tower frequency..
MOVEMENT AREA DEVIATION
8/9 Entering a Movement Area Without Authorization
No Pilot Rating Required
Williams Gateway Airport (IWA)
The Aircraft Tug entered taxiway Alpha abeam taxiway Kilo without establishing communication with ATC for obtaining a clearance into the movement area.
ENTERING RESTRICTED AREA
8/10 Entering A Restricted Area Without Authorization
Private Pilot
Out Of Texas
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Mooney was VFR at 4,600 feet, and an Albuquerque Controller observed that the Mooney was inside of restricted area R2310, which was active at 10,000 feet and below. The pilot stated that he did not realize the airspace was active. A Brasher was issued.