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4 Answers

Declaring an emergency

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Student Pilot

If engine is lost at 5000'AGL and I am directly over an airport, do I need to declare an emergency or can I simply notify ATC of situation?

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4 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Apr 04, 2015

    Do you think this is an emergency situation and if so, why would your choose to not declare an emergency with ATC?

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  2. Mark Kolber on Apr 05, 2015

    I will echo Kris’ question: why would your choose to not declare an emergency?

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  3. Heather McNevin on Apr 06, 2015

    I’d suggest you declare. ATC is going to start sending help your way right away. ATC can coordinate with towered fields, with airport managers and operators, with airport rescue and fire fighting, with local emergency services personnel, etc. Your question indicates to me that you don’t want to declare because you assume you’ll make an uneventful deadstick landing. What if you misjudge and end up 1/2 mile short of the runway in a tree? In that scenario, you’ll be glad you told someone the situation and that they are sending help your way.
    When you declare, you will be asked a few questions for emergency personnel. These include your callsign, type, number of souls on board, and fuel remaining. This information is given to rescue personnel so they can ensure adequate response to your situation.
    If in doubt about declaring, just do it. It won’t hurt the situation.

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  4. Isaac Dawson on Apr 09, 2015

    Hello there,
    I would reccomend declaring an emergency no matter your location. You need to notify Air Traffic Control (ATC) that the situation is urgent. Without declaring an emergency you would be treated as a normal aircraft and would have to go through regular ATC procedures. I hope this solves your question.

    Sincerely,
    Isaac Dawson

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