Quote:
Originally Posted by DukeSkywalker
Wasn’t serious. Should have been a “pan pan” and not a “may day”
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Any type of fire in an aircraft is an emergency situation and requires getting the plane landed as soon as possibly. A mayday call trumps all other aircraft priority and gives the pilot legal deviation to do anything he needs to handle the situation, and requires air traffic control to prioritize the emergency aircraft and clear the airspace, and get emergency responders on the ground into action. It's not a time for a pilot to look out the window and think, "Well the engine is on fire and shit is falling off the plane, but I think it's ok. Should we say pan-pan or mayday on the radio?". Especially on a commercial plane carrying passengers.
But I'm just an ex-air traffic controller and former pilot... what the fuck do I know.