Radio Failure and Clearance Compliance in Maputo CTR
You are departing Maputo (FQMA) IFR in a Beechcraft Baron 58. Clearance: 'Climb runway heading to 4 000 ft, then turn right to intercept the 090 radial of the Maputo VOR, climb to FL120, squawk 4521.' Shortly after take-off at 1 500 ft, you lose all radio communication - no transmit, no receive. The transponder still works. Weather is VMC. You are 5 NM from the VOR, heading 090.
1. What are your immediate actions and the applicable radio-failure procedure?
Read the worked answer
Immediate actions:
- Squawk 7600 on the transponder (still serviceable).
- Maintain the last clearance - runway heading to 4 000 ft, then intercept the 090 radial and climb to FL120 - and continue to the destination or the last acknowledged fix.
- Attempt to re-establish communication on the last assigned frequency and on 121.5 MHz; try a second radio if fitted.
- Listen for instructions and watch for light signals from ATC (steady green = cleared to land; flashing green = return for landing; red = give way/continue circling; flashing red = aerodrome unsafe).
- Transmit blind position reports at each waypoint.
Procedure. Under standard IFR radio-failure rules, continue along the last clearance route, maintain the last assigned altitude or the minimum safe altitude, and commence descent at the destination at the expected approach time or, if no EAT, as close as possible to the ETA. Comply with the published approach and land within 30 minutes of the ETA.
2. If you cannot re-establish communication and the destination is IMC, how does your plan change?
Read the worked answer
If IMC:
- Continue on the last cleared route and altitude; do not descend below the minimum safe altitude until at the destination or the last acknowledged fix.
- Fly the published instrument approach for the destination, using the expected approach time; if none, begin descent at the ETA.
- Squawk 7600 throughout and make blind transmissions on the approach frequency and 121.5 MHz.
- If the approach cannot be completed safely, divert to the alternate filed in the flight plan and repeat the procedure there.
- Land within 30 minutes of the ETA (or as soon as practicable) and report to ATC after landing.
- If a light signal is received, comply immediately (e.g., steady green = cleared to land).