Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
CAA
Text
The pilot on this occasion did not make what would have been an appropriate urgency or distress call when faced with a strong smell of fuel and the single engine indicating reduced performance.
The Commission has commented in previous reports on the need for pilots to declare the appropriate level of urgency using the standard phraseology for the situation.
The Commission recommends that the Director of Civil Aviation promote to all pilots and operators, through the best means available, the need to use the appropriate phraseology to declare a level of urgency or distress that reflects the true nature of an emergency.
The Commission has commented in previous reports on the need for pilots to declare the appropriate level of urgency using the standard phraseology for the situation.
The Commission recommends that the Director of Civil Aviation promote to all pilots and operators, through the best means available, the need to use the appropriate phraseology to declare a level of urgency or distress that reflects the true nature of an emergency.
Reply Text
On 21 March 2011 the Civil Aviation Authority advised that in response to the recommendation it is intended that the 2012 series of AvKiwi safety seminars for pilots around New Zealand will focus on radio communications, including the need for pilots to declare the appropriate level of urgency using standard phraseology for the situation. However, while the use of correct phraseology in various situations will be promoted, the pilot-in-command still needs to make the appropriate decision in the first instance.
Related Investigation(s)