 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
A center controller reported they had difficulty communicating with an aircraft that lost an engine and was diverting due to poor radio coverage at low altitudes in their sector.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1506910 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201712 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZLA.ARTCC |
| State Reference | CA |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | VFR Route |
| Flight Plan | VFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Enroute |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
A cessna 172 checked on to my frequency and I gave him the altimeter as usual. No issues noted. About 5-10 miles later I hear a call. The cessna 172 [advised he was diverting]. He said he was going to searchlight airport. I gave him the airport location; etc. At this sector; we have two different radio sites so at that low altitude we have to switch between radio sites. It was very difficult to deliver information to the aircraft; or other aircraft because someone else would cut me off; or vice-versa from the other radio site. I repeatedly made blanket statements of 'all aircraft stand-by' to try to deliver information or get information from the aircraft in distress but was unsuccessful to aircraft on the opposite side of my airspace because of the poor radio coverage. Although we have coped with this for a while; it's during emergencies that it becomes evident that we need good reliable radios with adequate coverage. I recommend we have better radio coverage so that all aircraft can hear each other regardless of position.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A Center Controller reported they had difficulty communicating with an aircraft that lost an engine and was diverting due to poor radio coverage at low altitudes in their sector.
Narrative: A Cessna 172 checked on to my frequency and I gave him the altimeter as usual. No issues noted. About 5-10 miles later I hear a call. The Cessna 172 [advised he was diverting]. He said he was going to Searchlight Airport. I gave him the airport location; etc. At this sector; we have two different radio sites so at that low altitude we have to switch between radio sites. It was VERY difficult to deliver information to the aircraft; or other aircraft because someone else would cut me off; or vice-versa from the other radio site. I repeatedly made blanket statements of 'all aircraft stand-by' to try to deliver information or get information from the aircraft in distress but was unsuccessful to aircraft on the opposite side of my airspace because of the poor radio coverage. Although we have coped with this for a while; it's during emergencies that it becomes evident that we need good reliable radios with adequate coverage. I recommend we have better radio coverage so that all aircraft can hear each other regardless of position.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.