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Doomed TBM 900 Pilot Twice Asked for Lower Altitude
The pilot of the TBM 900 that crashed in the sea near Jamaica after straying hundreds of miles off course on Friday twice asked Atlanta Center for clearance to a lower altitude because of an unspecified problem, but the controller handling the flight apparently didn’t comprehend the seriousness of the emergency that was unfolding. Minutes later, without receiving the requested clearance, the pilot stopped responding to ATC queries as the airplane flew on over the Atlantic on its last assigned… (www.flyingmag.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Well said preacher, I have two words that would have saved his life if he didn't want to declare an emergency, pan-pan.
yep
Any how many pilots even remember what PAN PAN is for? Good reminder to re-read or re-teach some basics of radio procedures.
I have seen some that don't know the difference between MAYDAy and PAN PAN. Either one should bring the same results as far as handling but there is a difference and needs to be known.
Very much disagree. In 45 years of flying I've always had a controller ask me how they could help if I indicated at all I had a problem. Yes this pilot could have done a better job at communicating his exact issue but this controller is simply not in the class of the rest of the ones that do that. If initial effects of hypoxia had begun to occur there would have only be a minute or two in order to prevent it from becoming the tragedy it was. That was the minute that the controller just did his job....yup by the rules, nothing more and nothing less. Fortunately the great majority of controllers are much better than this and our best friends in the sky.
Preacher - I haven't flown in quite a few years and was wondering if the new Garmin ESP system might have assisted in preventing this tragedy? Will the ESP system work when the autopilot is engaged? If not, I hope someday it can be modifited to prevent future hypoxia accidents of this nature.
Eword moves heaven and earth