English
Welcome to the test Unexpected Situations – 17.
This test contains 3 situations that you can choose from the menu on the left hand side of this page. Always try to answer before reading the expected answer!
ATC: Smart Cat 571, we have been informed that you started an emergency evacuation procedure. Please confirm if you need assistance.
PILOT: Singapore Ground. The slides were deployed by mistake. Everything is under control. We don´t need assistance. Passengers are all safe. Smart Cat 571.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
I understood the controller had been informed that the pilot have started an emergency evacuation procedure and asked the pilot to confirm if he needed assistance.
The pilot informed the controller that the slides were deployed by mistake and everything was under control.
He also informed that they didn’t need assistance because all passengers were safe.
EXAMINER: How do you think a situation like this can be avoided?
All crew members must be really well trained to avoid a situation like this besides that they must pay attention during all phases of the flight.
EXAMINER: Now listen to situation number 2.
PILOT: Mayday Mayday Mayday. Miami control Springbok49 on fire. We believe it is coming from the air conditioning system. Request immediate return.
ATC: Springbok49 Roger mayday. You are cleared to return to Fort Lauderdale airport. Fire brigades will be activated. Expect ILS approach to runway 05R.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
I understood the pilot declared emergency due to fire onboard. The pilot believed the fire was coming from the air conditioning system so he requested immediate return.
The controller understood that the pilot was on an emergency situation and cleared him to return to Fort Lauderdale airport and informed that fire brigade would be activated.
The controller also informed the pilot to expect ILS approach to runway 05R.
EXAMINER: What other abnormal situations could lead the pilots to declare an emergency?
There are many cases where a pilot must declare an emergency some examples are dual engine failure, sudden decompression or fire onboard and so on.
EXAMINER: Now situation number 3.
PILOT: Mayday Mayday Mayday, Manaus center, Gol091, we are descending to a safe altitude. We had an alert of a sudden depressurization.
ATC: Gol091 Roger. State the number of souls onboard and how much fuel you have left. We are clearing out traffic.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
The pilot requested immediate descent to a safe altitude because there was an alert of sudden depressurization.
The controller asked the pilot to inform the number of passengers onboard and how much fuel was available. The controller informed that they were clearing out traffic.
EXAMINER: What are the procedures for a sudden depressurization?
In case of a sudden depressurization, the pilot must descend to a breathable altitude and divert to the nearest suitable airport.
EXAMINER: Now, considering the three situations you have heard in part three: How would you compare them? You may want to compare them in terms of severity, possible solutions and ways of prevention. Which one do you think is the most difficult to deal with? Why?
From my point of view, the scape slides deployed accidentally on ground is the least serious situation to deal with because the pilot only needs to request maintenance services to fix the problem and disembark the passengers.
Depressurization is worse than scape slides deployed accidentally because it can lead to an emergency descent, passengers injures and flight diversion.
However, fire onboard is the worst situation because the fire can become uncontrollable causing a serious disaster.
If I were the pilot in this situation I would declare an emergency, descend immediately and land at the nearest suitable airport as soon as possible.
EXAMINER: Thank you. That is the end of part three.