ATC (Mis)Communication

Monday, February 27, 2023 at 02:26 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Radio miscommunication is a significant and dangerous risk in aviation, often caused by human factors such as expectation bias, complacency, imprecise language, and rushing.
The near-collision at JFK between American 106 and Delta 1943 exemplifies how failures in clear communication, active listening, and proper readbacks can lead to critical runway incursions.
Effective ATC communication demands pilots and controllers use clear, concise, standard phraseology, actively listen, accurately read back instructions, and avoid hurrying or casual language.
Both pilots and air traffic controllers are susceptible to "expectation bias," hearing what they anticipate rather than what is actually said, highlighting the critical need for diligence and verification in all radio exchanges.

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Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.” You probably have seen this quote in a pilot’s lounge somewhere, perhaps along with a photo of an early biplane stuck in the only tree for miles around. The quote is real, attributed to Captain A.G. Lamplugh, who at the time (1931) was chief underwriter and principal surveyor of British Aviation Insurance Company. We’re not sure about the biplane and the tree.

Of course, we pilots know flying is totally inherently dangerous, on account of laws, like the law of gravity. And other stuff—like weather, other aircraft, balloons—which we know aren’t really “aircraft”—running out of fuel, structural failure and spatial disorientation, to name just a few dangers. And oh—radio miscommunication.