Section 5, Chapter 1 - Aircraft Emergencies

Question 1

What are the key operating procedures for handling aircraft emergencies?

Answer 1

• Controller Judgment: Use personal judgment due to varying emergency circumstances.
• Priority Handling: Give maximum consideration, assistance, and priority to the emergency aircraft.
• Unlawful Interference: Provide pertinent information and expedite safe landing during unlawful interference.
• Prompt Notification: Inform appropriate authorities and aircraft operators immediately.
• Communication: Avoid mentioning the nature of unlawful interference in communications unless confirmed safe.
• Transponder Code 7500: Aircraft under unlawful interference should set the transponder to Code 7500 and notify the ATS unit.
• Emergency Landing: Pilots should attempt to land at the nearest suitable aerodrome unless otherwise necessary.

Question 2

What are the key responsibilities of controllers during an aircraft emergency?

Answer 2

• Alertness: Always be alert to the possibility of an aircraft emergency. Speed may be necessary, but calm and coordinated actions are essential.
• Assistance: Offer as much assistance as possible, including information on available aerodromes, approach aids, vectoring, weather, and terrain clearance.
• Supervisor Notification: Inform the supervisor as soon as practicable. Maintain complete coordination between units if multiple ATSUs are involved.
• ACC Involvement: If the ACC is involved, the ACC supervisor should take charge. Controllers must assist the ACC, JRCC, and other units. Supervisors should agree on who takes charge if multiple ACCs are involved.
• D&D Cell Notification: Advise the D&D cell of any aircraft emergency.
• Alerting Service and Aerodrome Emergency Service: Refer to Chapter 6 for the Alerting Service and Chapter 7 for the Aerodrome Emergency Service.

Question 3

How can a controller recognize an aircraft emergency situation?

Answer 3

Suspicion Indicators:

• Expected radio contact is not established.
• Radio contact is lost.
• Pilot reports malfunction or unusual behavior on-board.
• Erratic behavior of the aircraft or position symbol is observed.
• Aircraft is overdue at an aerodrome.
• Pilot reports the aircraft is short of fuel.

Pilot Confirmation:

• If in radio contact, ask the pilot if they wish to declare an emergency and specify the class of emergency.

Further Indicators:

• Positive indications of an emergency are detailed in subsequent paragraphs.

Question 4

What are the key points for handling distress and urgency messages in an aircraft emergency?

Answer 4

Emergency Declaration: Pilots should formally declare an emergency on the RTF for the necessary priority and handling.

Types of Emergency:

• Distress: Serious and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance.
• Urgency: Safety concern not requiring immediate assistance.

Message Components:

• Distress: “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY”
• Urgency: “PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN”
• Station name, aircraft ID, nature of emergency, intentions, position, level, heading, pilot’s qualification, and additional information as time permits.
• Prompt Declaration: Pilots should declare emergencies early and can cancel later if the situation allows.

Controller Actions:

• If the pilot provides emergency-related information without the “MAYDAY” or “PAN” prefix, the controller should ask if they wish to declare an emergency.
• If the pilot declines but the situation seems critical, the controller may act as if an emergency has been declared.
• “Fuel emergency” has no status in the UK and does not require priority unless declared as an emergency.

Frequency Change: If another ATSU can assist better, the pilot should be asked to change frequency.

Question 5

What are the visual signals used by aircraft to indicate distress and urgency?

Answer 5

Distress Signals:

• SOS signal with signaling apparatus.
• Succession of pyrotechnical lights showing a single red light.
• Parachute flare showing a red light.

Urgency Signals:

• For an aircraft in difficulties needing to land without assistance:
• Switching landing lights on and off repeatedly.
• Switching navigation lights on and off repeatedly.
• Succession of white pyrotechnical lights.
• For transmitting a very urgent message:
• XXX signal with signaling apparatus.

Question 6

What SSR transponder codes do pilots use to indicate emergency situations, and when should they select these codes?

Answer 6

Emergency Codes:

• 7700: Aircraft Emergency
• 7600: Radio Failure
• 7500: Hijack or Other Act of Violence

Emergency Declaration:

• Pilots should select Code 7700 as soon as practicable after declaring an emergency, considering the importance of controlling the aircraft and containing the emergency.
• If already transmitting a discrete code and receiving an air traffic service, that code may be retained at the pilot’s or controller’s discretion.

Question 6

What is the Emergency Triangle Procedure for pilots lost or uncertain of position with radio failure?

Answer 6

Purpose: Used by pilots lost or uncertain of position with transmitter or complete radio failure to indicate they need assistance.

Procedure:
* Fly at least two triangular patterns before resuming course.
* Patterns are as follows:
* 300 knots or less: 2-minute legs.
* More than 300 knots: 1-minute legs.
* Transmitter Failure Only: Right-hand turns.
* Complete Radio Failure: Left-hand turns.

Controller Actions:
* Advise the D&D cell of the aircraft’s position and track.
* Continue plotting the aircraft while within ATS surveillance cover.
* Consider wind effects on the pilot’s ability to fly an accurate triangle.

Question 7

What factors should a controller consider when deciding whether to transfer an emergency aircraft to another agency?

Answer 7

• Decision to Transfer: Controllers must decide if transferring the aircraft to another agency is necessary upon receiving emergency information.
• Circumstances-Based: The choice of agency depends on the specific circumstances of the emergency.
• Guidance Material: Use provided guidance material to assist in making this decision, as there are no strict rules.

Question 8

When should a controller retain control of an emergency aircraft on the current frequency?

Answer 8

• Immediate Assistance: Retain the aircraft if immediate assistance can be provided. Impose radio silence on other aircraft or transfer them to another frequency if necessary.
• Discrete Frequency: Consider transferring to a discrete frequency if imposing radio silence would endanger other traffic.
• Pilot Readiness: Retain on the original frequency if it is unreasonable or the pilot is not prepared to change frequency. The controller can relay instructions and information from other units.

Question 9

When and how should a controller transfer control of an emergency aircraft to another unit?

Answer 9

Decision to Transfer:

• Transfer if another unit can provide more assistance and it is reasonable to ask the pilot to change frequency.

Transfer Procedure:

• Option 1: Consult the ACC supervisor and follow their instructions.
• Option 2: Alert the nearest suitable unit and transfer the aircraft to a common frequency, providing assistance to that unit as required.

Pre-Transfer Actions:

• Obtain sufficient information from the pilot to ensure better assistance from the other unit.
• Instruct the pilot to revert to the original frequency if there is no reply on the new frequency.
• Listen on the original frequency until the aircraft is confirmed to be in two-way communication with the new unit.

Question 10

What are the key functions and considerations for the RAF Distress and Diversion (D&D) cell in aircraft emergencies?

Answer 10

Functions:

• Assists civil and military aircraft in emergencies.
• Provides an ATC surveillance service and detects emergency SSR squawks automatically.
• Uses terms ‘Executive Control’ (overall management) and ‘Operational Control’ (hands-on control until handover).

Considerations:

• Surveillance Cover: D&D may seek early handover to aerodrome ATSU due to poor low-level coverage.
• Minimum Sector Altitudes: D&D may need guidance on local minimum sector altitudes.
• RTF Coverage: Poor below 3,000 ft AMSL; early handover may be required. If RTF transfer is impossible, control instructions may need to be relayed via telephone.

Additional Capabilities:

• Detailed knowledge of minor aerodrome availability.
• Comprehensive database for rapid communication with aerodromes, operators, ATSUs, SAR organizations, and emergency services.
• Provides facilities for practicing emergency procedures.
• VHF auto-triangulation fixing service on 121.5 MHz in the London and Scottish FIRs, with certain altitude parameters.

Communication Restrictions:

• ATS units should not transmit on 121.5 MHz or 243.0 MHz without D&D authorization, except when:
• A pilot in distress calls a specific local ATS unit.
• The D&D cell is not responding to an emergency transmission.

Question 11

What steps should a controller take if they intercept a message indicating an aircraft is in an emergency?

Answer 11

Initial Actions:

• Obtain a VDF bearing if possible and pass it to the station being called.
• Continue listening until the aircraft is in two-way communication with an ATSU.

If Message is Not Acknowledged:

• Forward the message to the station being called and/or the ACC supervisor.
• Attempt to establish two-way communication with the aircraft.
• Provide every possible assistance to the emergency aircraft.

Question 12

What general principles should controllers follow when dealing with an aircraft emergency?

Answer 12

• Assistance: Use every means available to assist the pilot.
• Situational Response: Each situation must be handled according to its unique circumstances.
• Actions:
  1. Take any appropriate actions from the provided guidelines.
  2. Note that the list of actions is neither exhaustive nor in any preferred order.

Question 13

What are the procedures for alerting local emergency services in the event of an expected forced landing?

Answer 13

Alerting Procedure:

• Alert local emergency services via the ACC supervisor unless within the Aerodrome Fire Service’s radius.
• Refer to Chapter 7 for Aerodrome emergency services.

Emergency Orders:

• Ensure local emergency services are informed even within the Aerodrome Fire Service’s response radius, which may be considerable.
• Local services may be closer and can assist by relaying the exact location to the Aerodrome Fire Service.

Distress Phase:

• If the aircraft is doubtful to reach an aerodrome, inform the ACC supervisor to alert the RCC.

Question 14

What steps should a controller take regarding the nearest aerodromes during an aircraft emergency?

Answer 14

Advise the Pilot:

• Inform the pilot of the nearest aerodromes and suggest a suitable one for landing.
• The ACC can assist in selecting the appropriate aerodrome.

Notify Selected Aerodrome:

• Notify the chosen aerodrome for emergency landing to make suitable preparations.

Warn Other Aerodromes:

• Warn other aerodromes in the vicinity and on the flight path to stand by, typically through the ACC supervisor.

Sterilize Landing Runway:

• Once the emergency aircraft is committed to landing at the selected aerodrome, consider sterilizing the landing runway in coordination with other appropriate ATSUs.

Question 15

What are the procedures for plotting the position of an emergency aircraft?

Answer 15

Plot Position:

• Plot the position and subsequent track of the emergency aircraft using ATS surveillance systems until out of cover.

Map Plotting:

• It may be advisable to plot the position and track on a map.
• Use VDF to fix the position by obtaining bearings from other units with the same frequency.

Information Sharing:

• Always pass position and bearing information about the emergency aircraft to other interested units, particularly the ACC.

Question 16

What steps should a controller take to ensure an uninterrupted approach for an emergency aircraft?

Answer 16

Uninterrupted Approach:
* Ensure the emergency aircraft has an uninterrupted approach to the selected aerodrome.
* Rearrange the traffic pattern if necessary to facilitate a clear approach for the emergency aircraft.

Question 17

What are the procedures and considerations for an emergency descent?

Answer 17

Definition:

• A maneuver to quickly bring an aircraft to a safe level due to emergencies like loss of cabin pressurization.

Indications:

• First indication may be an unexpected change in level on the situation display.
• Pilots may broadcast a short RTF message and select SSR code 7700.

Controller Actions:

• Acknowledge the emergency via RTF.
• Prompt the pilot to squawk 7700 if not already done.
• Ensure the level-off altitude is above the minimum altitude for terrain clearance, and provide QNH altimeter setting.

Pilot Navigation:

• Pilots should remain on the assigned route if possible, but may navigate as needed for safety.
• Controllers must be alert for potential heading changes and provide instructions to maintain separation.

Separation:

• Prioritize separation from conflicting traffic on the emergency descent track.
• Coordinate with adjacent sectors and control centers.
• Turn other aircraft away from the descending aircraft if necessary.

Emergency Broadcast:

• Broadcast or cause a broadcast to alert all aircraft of the emergency descent.
• Include instructions for specific actions or instruct aircraft to maintain current clearances and stand by for further instructions.

Question 18

What are the responsibilities of the supervisor at the ACC during an aircraft emergency?

Answer 18

Inform Supervisor:

• Provide details of the emergency and actions already taken.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the operation unless immediate action can be taken at the originating unit.
• Take alerting action as described in Chapter 6.
• Alert the D&D cell.

Question 19

What should a controller do regarding other aircraft during an emergency?

Answer 19

Notification:
* Advise other aircraft that are likely to be affected by the emergency.
* Inform aircraft that may be able to assist.

Question 20

What actions should be taken regarding the aircraft operator during an emergency?

Answer 20

Inform Operator:

• Notify the aircraft operator if one of their aircraft is in an emergency.
• The ACC supervisor should keep the operator informed of all subsequent developments.

Relay Messages:

• Pass messages from the operator (e.g., bomb warning, suspected damage) to the commander immediately, using the operator’s exact words.
• Confirm messages relayed via an ACC outside the UK with a priority SS signal, addressed to the aircraft.

Question 21

What are the key procedures for handling aircraft emergencies when a pilot declares an emergency?

Answer 21

Acknowledgment:

• Acknowledge the pilot’s message declaring an emergency and the intended aerodrome for landing.

Diverting to Another Aerodrome:

• If instructed to request the aircraft to divert, establish the reason for the change and inform the captain, requesting their intentions.

Captain’s Decision:

• The captain has ultimate responsibility for the aircraft’s safety and the decision to comply with advice or instructions to land at an alternative aerodrome.

Routing Over Populated Areas:

• Avoid routing over densely populated areas if the aircraft’s ability to remain in controlled flight is compromised.
• If expeditious routing is required for safety, provide the most direct route.
• If not required, suggest alternative runways or aerodromes that avoid densely populated areas and request the pilot’s intentions.

Population Awareness:

• ACC controllers may not be aware of major population centers, but aerodrome, approach, or approach surveillance controllers should be familiar with populated areas within their jurisdiction.

Engine Failure Considerations:

• Be aware that aircraft with engine failure may have handling difficulties and limit maneuvering instructions to the minimum necessary.

Question 22

What are the procedures for handling dangerous goods information during an aircraft emergency?

Answer 22

Relaying Information:

• Relay information about dangerous goods without delay to the ATSU at the aerodrome of intended landing.
• The senior controller at the aerodrome must notify the Aerodrome Operator and RFFS immediately.

Pilot’s Provision of Information:

• ICAO requires the pilot to provide information about dangerous goods either in detail, as a summary, or by providing a contact number for detailed information.
• Controllers should request the pilot to provide a contact number as the preferred option.

If Contact Number is Unavailable:

• Request a summary of the quantities and classes or divisions of dangerous goods if the pilot cannot provide a contact number.

Passing Information:

• Pass all details provided by the pilot to the relevant emergency services without delay.

In Case of Crash:

• Pass all pertinent information, including details of dangerous goods, to the Senior Fire Officer or Incident Commander at the accident site without delay.
• If en-route, the ACC Watch Supervisor must relay this information to the relevant emergency services without delay.

Flight Plan Annotations:

• Dangerous goods may not always be annotated on the flight plan. Absence of such annotation should not be taken as an indication that no dangerous goods are being carried.

Question 23

What are the procedures for handling aircraft carrying explosives under a CAA exemption?

Answer 23

Treatment as Dangerous Goods:

• Aircraft carrying explosives under a CAA exemption are treated as carrying dangerous goods.
• Such aircraft should not deviate from their flight-planned route except in an emergency.

Diverting to Aerodrome:

• Consider a military aerodrome (RAF or USAF) first for diversion.
• Civil airfields with expertise in handling such explosives: Humberside and Prestwick.
• Other civilian aerodromes may be suitable based on the type and quantity of explosives, with Aerodrome Operator agreement if possible.
• Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester are not suitable diversion aerodromes for these emergencies.

Flight Plan Information:

• Operators must insert a telephone number in the flight plan (item 18) for obtaining detailed information about the explosives carried. The format is: OPR/ (operator name) Tel: +(country code) (telephone number).

Question 24

What should be done if a military aircraft in an emergency declares they are carrying dangerous cargo or explosives under a CAA exemption?

Answer 24

Immediate Notification:
* Inform the RAF Distress and Diversion cell immediately.

Question 25

What are the procedures for fuel jettisoning during an emergency?

Answer 25

Pilot’s Decision:

• The decision to jettison fuel rests solely with the pilot, though they may request guidance from ATC.

ATC Coordination:

• Coordinate with the flight crew on:
• Route to be flown, avoiding cities, towns, thunderstorms, and preferring over water.
• Level to be used.
• Estimated duration of fuel dumping.
• Frequency to be monitored.

Altitude Recommendations:

• Recommend fuel jettisoning above 10,000 ft AGL.
• Exceptionally, fuel may be jettisoned above 7,000 ft AGL in winter and above 4,000 ft AGL in summer if higher altitudes are impracticable or unsafe.
• Jettisoning below these levels should be unavoidable.

Separation:

• Maintain a vertical separation of at least 1,000 ft between aircraft.

Notification:

• Inform adjacent ATC units and control sectors about the fuel dumping.
• Coordinate with units providing services outside controlled airspace near the boundary of controlled airspace.

Question 26

What considerations are there for emergency overweight landings?

Answer 26

Decision to Land:

• The decision to make an overweight landing rests solely with the aircraft commander.
• Immediate landing may be chosen if it is unsafe to spend time jettisoning fuel.

Crew Considerations:

• Extra care needed for approach, landing, and deceleration on the runway.
• Limits on maximum rates of descent on final approach must be adhered to.
• Ideally, intercept the final approach track at or below the ILS glide path to manage descent rates.

Runway Use:

• Full length of the runway may be required for deceleration.
• Additional braking may be necessary, with a risk of wheel fires.

Controller Observations:

• Except in extreme situations, controllers should not observe significant differences from normal aircraft performance regarding rate of turn and speed.

Question 27

What steps should controllers take when notified by a pilot of a suspected communicable disease?

Answer 27

Notification:
* Notify the appropriate authorities as detailed in MATS Part 2, the Aerodrome Manual, or local orders.

Question 28

What are the key considerations and procedures for handling aircraft with ballistic recovery systems?

Answer 28

System Overview:

• Used in emergencies where continued safe flight is not possible, like engine failure or loss of control.
• Activated by a handle that deploys a solid fuel rocket and parachute.
• If not deployed, the rocket may still be live.

Controlled Descent:

• Parachute assists in controlled descent, but the aircraft will drift with the wind, and pilot control is lost.
• Radio contact may be maintained depending on altitude and VHF coverage.

Emergency Notification:

• If time permits, pilots should use the phrase: “Ballistic recovery system deployed.”

ATCO Procedures:

• Treat reports of ballistic recovery system deployment with the same priority as engine failures and forced landings.
• Inform RFFS, as this aids aircraft identification and reassures them of the situation.

Failed Activation:

• If the system is activated but fails to deploy, inform RFFS of the potential live rocket on board.