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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!qantel!hplabs!tektronix!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!wanttaja
From: wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Declaring an emergency... the ramifications?
Message-ID: <359@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 11-Nov-85 11:49:06 EST
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.359
Posted: Mon Nov 11 11:49:06 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 14-Nov-85 07:37:39 EST
References: <769@bgsuvax.UUCP> <32838@lanl.ARPA> <182@ihnp3.UUCP> <184@ihnp3.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Boeing Aerospace Co., Seattle, WA
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> 
> When I first heard about Doug's incident, I was pleased with how he handled
> the situation.  I am still pleased.  However, I feel that he should have
> said "emergency" when he realized that the airplane was in trouble.  There
> is nothing wrong in telling the tower that you want special treatment if 
> you have a problem.
> 

Which brings me to a question I've had for a long time...  what are the
legal ramifications of declaring an emergency?  I realize that it should be
more important to consider its benefits during difficulty, but, as I can
attest, one has a considerable reluctance to use that word/condition.  If
you declare an emergency, will this start the FAA sniffing for reg
violations?  Are there masses of forms to fill out?  Do they impound the
plane for an investigation?  If they decide you didn't really have an
*emergency* is there some sort of action?

During my little froorah I was trying to avoid "siccing" the FAA on the FBO
that sold me the fuel...  on the basis that I knew the operator, and knew
that (normally) she's very conciencious about that sort of thing.  In this
litigous-happy society, I'm sure they were quite aware of what could have
happened, and their rapid response and upgrades to their fuel system bears
this out.  So when the engine finally died on high base, that was one of
the reasons I hesitated calling "Mayday."  If I had crashed, the
evidence would have been found.  Since all I had to do was make one good
approach, I also felt very silly about calling it an emergency
(uncontrolled airport w/Unicom).  So I just called and requested a clear
runway due to engine problems.

I actually considered calling "PAN," but felt that would confuse them more
than anything...

So what about it??? What'll the FAA/FCC do to you afterwards if you call
"Mayday?"

					  Ron Wanttaja
					  (ssc-vax!wanttaja)

Definition of PROPELLER:  "Fan to keep pilot cool.  Turn it off
			   and watch him sweat."