AIM

4/20/23

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General

Chapter 6. Emergency Procedures

Section 1. General

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1. Pilot Responsibility and Authority

a.

The pilot

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in

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command of an aircraft is directly responsible for and is the final authority as to the operation

of that aircraft. In an emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot

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in

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command may deviate from any rule

in 14 CFR Part 91, Subpart A, General, and Subpart B, Flight Rules, to the extent required to meet that emergency.

NOTE

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In the event of a pilot incapacitation, an Emergency Autoland system or an emergency descent system may assume operation
of the aircraft and deviate to meet that emergency.

REFERENCE

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14 CFR Section 91.3(b).

b.

If the emergency authority of 14 CFR Section 91.3(b) is used to deviate from the provisions of an ATC

clearance, the pilot

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in

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command must notify ATC as soon as possible and obtain an amended clearance.

c.

Unless deviation is necessary under the emergency authority of 14 CFR Section 91.3, pilots of IFR flights

experiencing two-way radio communications failure are expected to adhere to the procedures prescribed under
“IFR operations, two-way radio communications failure.”

REFERENCE

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14 CFR Section 91.185.

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2. Emergency Condition

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 Request Assistance Immediately

a.

An emergency can be either a 

distress

 or 

urgency

 condition as defined in the Pilot/Controller Glossary.

Pilots do not hesitate to declare an emergency when they are faced with 

distress

 conditions such as fire,

mechanical failure, or structural damage. However, some are reluctant to report an 

urgency

 condition when they

encounter situations which may not be immediately perilous, but are potentially catastrophic. An aircraft is in
at least an 

urgency

 condition the moment the pilot becomes doubtful about position, fuel endurance, weather,

or any other condition that could adversely affect flight safety. This is the time to ask for help, not after the
situation has developed into a 

distress

 condition.

b.

Pilots who become apprehensive for their safety for any reason should 

request assistance immediately.

Ready and willing help is available in the form of radio, radar, direction finding stations and other aircraft. Delay
has caused accidents and cost lives. 

Safety is not a luxury! Take action!