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16 Feb American B763 diverts to the Azores with multiple system failures
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
ATC
American Airlines 206, Lajes Approach, continue descent to flight level 100.
ATC
American Airlines 206, this is Lajes radar control, continue your descent down to 10,000 feet.
PILOT
Flight level 100, descending, American 206.
PILOT
Down to 10,000 feet, we’re on our way down, American 206.
ATC
American 206, wind is 360 degrees at 9 knots, visibility more than 10, few clouds at 2,000 feet, scattered at 3,000, temperature 12, dew point 08, QNH 1025.
ATC
American 206, the wind is coming from the north at 10 miles per hour, visibility is great at over 10 miles, just a few clouds at 2,000 feet and 3,000. Temperature is 12 degrees with a dew point of 8, and your barometric pressure setting is 1025.
PILOT
1025. Any previous weather reports from other aircraft today?
PILOT
1025. Have you had any weather reports from other pilots flying through here today?
ATC
Negative, you're the only aircraft we've had in the last four hours. American 206, expect ILS approach runway 15. American 206, descend to 3,000 feet, transition level 60, QNH 1025.
ATC
No, you’re the only plane we’ve seen in the last four hours. American 206, plan on using the instrument landing system for runway 15. Descend to 3,000 feet, switch your altitude settings at 6,000 feet, and use 1025 for your pressure.
PILOT
Descending to 3,000, 1025, American 206. American 206, can we have an extension to the downwind?
PILOT
Descending to 3,000, 1025, American 206. Any chance we could fly a bit further past the runway before we turn back around to land?
ATC
American 206, no speed restrictions. Fly heading 180 to intercept ILS final approach course.
ATC
American 206, you can fly at whatever speed you like. Turn south to heading 180 to line up with the radio beam for your final approach to the runway.
PILOT
180 for American 206.
PILOT
Turning to 180 for American 206.
ATC
American 206, 16 miles from Lajes, fly heading 180, maintain 3,000 until established on the localizer, cleared ILS runway 15 approach.
ATC
American 206, you're 16 miles from Lajes. Turn to a heading of 180 degrees and stay at 3,000 feet until you're locked onto the runway's guidance beam. You're cleared for the instrument landing on runway 15.
PILOT
Heading 180, maintain 3,000, cleared ILS 15, American 206.
PILOT
Heading 180, staying at 3,000, and cleared for the instrument landing on 15, American 206.
ATC
American 206, report established with the field in sight.
ATC
American 206, let us know when you’re lined up and have the airport in sight.
PILOT
Field in sight, we'll call established, American 206. Lajes, American 206. We're going to stop on the runway and let the fire crew have a look at the aircraft, and then if it's okay, we'll taxi clear to apron Echo.
PILOT
We see the airport and we'll let you know when we're lined up. Lajes, American 206. We're going to stop right on the runway to let the fire trucks inspect the plane, and if they give us the all-clear, we'll drive over to parking area Echo.
ATC
Roger. We were told the plan was for the fire department to check out the exterior of the aircraft. Do you want your crew to check out the exterior?
ATC
Understood. We heard the fire department was going to check the outside of the plane. Did you want your own flight crew to get out and look as well?
PILOT
No, no. I was talking about your crew—the fire department—checking out the exterior of the aircraft.
PILOT
No, no. I meant your team—the fire department—should be the ones checking the outside of the aircraft.
ATC
Affirmative, sir. That's the plan. As soon as you come to a complete stop, the fire department will make their way onto the runway and check out the aircraft. Once the on-scene commander makes his decision, we'll notify you.
ATC
Yes, sir. That’s the plan. As soon as you come to a full stop, the fire department will drive onto the runway to check the plane. Once the fire chief on the scene makes a decision, we’ll pass it along to you.
PILOT
Thank you, 206. We're established on the localizer.
PILOT
Thank you, 206. We are now locked onto the runway's guidance signal.
ATC
Roger, contact Tower 122.1.
ATC
Understood, switch over to the control tower on frequency 122.1.
PILOT
Lajes Tower, American 206, 9 miles for runway 15.
PILOT
Lajes Tower, this is American flight 206, we’re nine miles out and approaching runway 15.
TOWER
American 206, Lajes Tower, check wheels down. Runway 15, wind 010 degrees at 12 knots, cleared to land.
TOWER
American 206, Lajes Tower, make sure your landing gear is locked. You're authorized to land on runway 15, wind is coming from the north at 12 knots.
PILOT
Cleared to land, runway 15. We'll call you with the gear down, American 206. 206, gear is down.
PILOT
Authorized to land on runway 15. We'll let you know when the wheels are locked, American 206. Actually, 206, the wheels are down and locked now.
TOWER
American 206, roger. Advise me when you come to a complete stop. We're going to have the emergency fire department vehicles meet you on the runway.
TOWER
Understood, American 206. Tell me the moment you come to a full stop. We’re sending the emergency fire trucks out to meet you right on the runway.
PILOT
We'll call you with a complete stop, American 206.
PILOT
We'll let you know as soon as we've stopped, American 206.
TOWER
Wind 010 degrees at 12 knots.
TOWER
The wind is still from the north at 12 knots.
PILOT
Fire command, this is the Captain on 206. Are you on the frequency?
PILOT
Fire Chief, this is the Captain of flight 206. Are you listening on this radio channel?
TOWER
Negative, sir. The fire department doesn't have access to the frequency. Do you need me to relay a message?
TOWER
No, sir, the fire crews aren't on this radio channel. Do you want me to pass a message to them for you?
PILOT
Roger. I just wanted to tell them that we have multiple electrical failures with systems failing. We anticipate a normal landing and a long rollout, but no other anticipated problems.
PILOT
Understood. Just tell them we've lost several electrical systems. We expect a normal touchdown but we'll use up a lot of the runway coming to a stop; no other issues expected.
TOWER
Copy, sir. I'll let them know. American Airlines 206, confirm you are at a complete stop so I can allow the emergency vehicles onto the runway.
TOWER
Understood, I’ll pass that on. American 206, confirm you are completely stopped? I need to make sure before I clear the emergency crews to drive onto the runway.
PILOT
Affirmative, we're at a full stop, American 206. Parking brakes parked.
PILOT
That’s correct, we're at a dead stop, American 206. The parking brakes are set.
TOWER
Copy, sir.
TOWER
Understood, sir.
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