Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site ihnp3.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ihnp3!cfiaime
From: cfiaime@ihnp3.UUCP (J. Williams)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Declaring an emergency... the ramifications?
Message-ID: <186@ihnp3.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 13-Nov-85 10:20:49 EST
Article-I.D.: ihnp3.186
Posted: Wed Nov 13 10:20:49 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 14-Nov-85 07:21:00 EST
References: <769@bgsuvax.UUCP> <32838@lanl.ARPA> <182@ihnp3.UUCP> <184@ihnp3.UUCP> <359@ssc-vax.UUCP> <3164@hplabsb.UUCP>
Reply-To: cfiaime@ihnp3.UUCP (45261-J. Williams)
Distribution: net
Organization: ATT Bell Labs
Lines: 46

In article <3164@hplabsb.UUCP> bl@hplabsb.UUCP writes:
>> 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?
>> 
>> ...
>>
>> So what about it??? What'll the FAA/FCC do to you afterwards if you call
>> "Mayday?"

War story...
One Christmas weekend, my wife and I were flying from Wichita to the
Chicago area in a fairly new Cessna 210.  Over Olathe, Kansas (just 
outside of Kansas City), we had an electrical fire.  There were fumes
in the cabin, fluctuating ammeter, and the whole nine yards.  After 
getting the fire out (normal kill EVERYTHING, then bring systems back
up), we had no alternator.  I told approach control, "Cessna 732ND, I 
would like to change my destination from Chicago, DuPage to Kansas City
Downtown."  To which they said, "Ok, you are number three for the 
approach."  Whereupon I said, "Fine, but I don't want to be up here
too long because I have electrical problems, however the fire is out."
Their reaction was, "You are cleared present position, direct.  TWA 111,
give way to a Cessna 210, United 412, Hold for the TWA, Ozark..."
I did not declare an emergency.  I should have.  There was no paperwork
involved.

Several years later, my wife and I were in a Cherokee Warrior going into
Springfield, Illinois.  We totally lost the charging system due to wear
in the alternator.  We also lost the turn coordinator.  In the clouds.
This time I shut down all but one radio, and said "Emergency."  When
we landed, no one said or did anything (except repair the airplane).

I even have landed at an Air Force base because of weather (while on
a Civil Air Patrol bloodrun) and have yet to fill out form number one.
However, if I do have to fill out a form, you best believe that it will
be with a smile on my face, because body and soul are still in one
piece (theological discussions aside).

					jeff williams
					ihnp3!cfiaime
					AT&T Bell Laboratories