English
Welcome to the test Unexpected Situations – 10.
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!
PILOT: PANPAN PANPAN PANPAN MIAMI CENTER, ARGENTINA 774. WE SUFFERED SEVERE TURBULENCE AT FL 350. SOME PASSENGERS GOT INJURED. WE REQUEST AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT MIAMI AIRPORT AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ON THE GROUND.
ATC: ROGER, ARGENTINA 774 YOU ARE CLEARED TO LAND ON RUNWAY 26 RIGHT.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
I understood the pilot of ARGENTINA 774 declared an urgency to Miami center as they suffered severe turbulence at flight level 350, some passengers were injured and they requested an emergency landing at Miami airport with medical assistance on the ground.
The controller understood ARGENTINA 774 and cleared them to land on runway 26 right
EXAMINER: What can severe turbulence cause to the structure of an aircraft and to the passengers?
Severe turbulence can cause injuries to passengers and not to mention panic on board. Turbulence can weaken the structure of the wings and damage the fuselage.
EXAMINER: Now listen to situation number 2.
ATC: EAGLE 244, MIAMI CENTER. WE’VE RECEIVED AN ANONYMOUS PHONE CALL SAYING YOU HAVE A BOMB ON BOARD. NO MORE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN. SAY INTENTIONS
PILOT: MIAMI CENTER , EAGLE 244 WE REQUEST IMMEDIATE RETURN TO MIAMI AIRPORT. REQUEST VECTORS FOR PRIORITY LANDING. WE REQUEST POLICE ENFORCEMENT ON THE GROUND.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
I understood that Miami center contacted EAGLE 244 and informed them that they received an anonymous phone call saying there was a bomb on board and that no more information had been given then they asked EAGLE 244 to say their intentions.
The pilots requested a priority landing in Miami airport and requested police enforcement on the ground
EXAMINER: What changed in aviation after September 11th?
After September 11th aviation regulations were changed worldwide. Stricter rules and restrictions were applied and nowadays crew members receive more efficient training to be prepared to deal with hijackers or bomb threats.
EXAMINER: Now situation number 3.
PILOT: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, FRANKFURT CONTROL, EASY JET 146, WE HAVE AN UNCONTROLLABLE FIRE IN ENGINE NUMBER 2 WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO REACH THE RUNWAY WE ARE GOING TO PERFORM AN EMERGENCY LANDING.
ATC: EASY JET 146, SAY YOUR POSITION. I AM WARNING THE EMERGENCY SERVICES ON THE GROUND.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
The pilots declared an emergency situation to Frankfurt control as they had an uncontrollable fire in engine number two and didn’t have enough power to reach the runway they said they were going to perform an emergency landing.
The controller asked for their position and informed that they were warning emergency services on the ground.
EXAMINER: How could technology prevent an engine fire?
In my opinion technology could improve to automatically extinguish the fire in the engine and alert the pilots with more warning sounds and lights.
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?
In my opinion the severe turbulence is the least serious to deal with although passengers were injured the pilots still had control of the aircraft.
The bomb threat is worse than the severe turbulence as it could cause a stressful situation in the cockpit, panic on board and even an explosion.
However the uncontrollable engine fire and loss of power is the worst because if the pilots were unable to reach the runway it could lead to a crash landing, a disaster and consequently deaths.
EXAMINER: Thank you. That is the end of part three.