How We Goof with ATC

Periodically, NASAs Aviation Safety Reporting System publishes many of the most meaningful ASRS report submissions that relate to various specific aspects of aviation, such as weather, near-midairs, GPS and the like. We looked at these selected reports covering Air Traffic Control, with a view toward lessons we can learn in dealing with ATC, better practices we can follow, and generally ways to do things better. Youll note two recurring themes. The first is incorrect pilot readbacks of controller instructions and controllers not catching the mistake. The second is pilots turning incorrectly left, right or to the wrong heading, or similar errors with altitude, as in this first case below.

Fred Simonds

Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Many incidents arise from pilots mishearing or incorrectly reading back ATC instructions (e.g., altitudes, headings) and controllers failing to catch these errors, emphasizing the critical need for clear communication and clarification when in doubt.
Pilots frequently deviate from or misunderstand ATC clearances and published procedures, underscoring the necessity for strict adherence and independent verification of critical information such as Minimum Enroute Altitudes (MEAs).
Challenges like radio dead zones, pilot disorientation during emergencies, and unexpected hazards like high-flying drones highlight the importance of constant vigilance and adherence to proper emergency procedures.

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Periodically, NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System publishes many of the most meaningful ASRS report submissions that relate to various specific aspects of aviation, such as weather, near-midairs, GPS and the like. We looked at these selected reports covering Air Traffic Control, with a view toward lessons we can learn in dealing with ATC, better practices we can follow, and generally ways to do things better.

You’ll note two recurring themes. The first is incorrect pilot readbacks of controller instructions and controllers not catching the mistake. The second is pilots turning incorrectly left, right or to the wrong heading, or similar errors with altitude, as in this first case below.