Abnormal and Emergency Situations
Abnormal and Emergency Situations
Emergency questions test recognition, priority and communication. The exam expects a clear sequence: identify the phase, protect the aircraft, alert the services and record the event.
Core rules
- ICAO emergency phases are INCERFA (uncertainty), ALERFA (alert) and DETRESFA (distress). They trigger different notification and search-and-rescue actions.
- MAYDAY is distress; PAN PAN is urgency. Emergency frequency is 121.5 MHz.
- SSR codes: 7700 general emergency, 7600 radio failure, 7500 unlawful interference.
- For radio failure, apply the unit lost-communication procedure; do not assume the pilot can hear you.
- For an emergency descent, clear the airspace and issue traffic information; do not delay the descent for routine coordination.
Worked example
A pilot reports Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, EIN123, engine failure, request immediate descent. The controller should acknowledge, declare the appropriate emergency phase, give the aircraft priority, assign a heading and level that avoid known traffic, and ask for intentions and persons on board. The controller should alert the airport fire service and adjacent sectors. The reason for priority is that the aircraft may not be able to maintain level; routine sequencing must wait.
Traps
Do not wait for the pilot to use the word Mayday before treating a serious situation as an emergency. Do not confuse 7500 with 7700. Do not issue a turn that conflicts with a TCAS RA. Do not forget to record times and instructions.