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17 Oct Air Transat 189 MAYDAY
Air Transat 189 declares a Mayday near Toronto following a loss of power in one engine.
Summary
Air Transat Flight 189, an Airbus A310, declared an emergency while approaching Toronto Pearson International Airport due to a failure of its number two engine. Air Traffic Control efficiently cleared the arrival path, moving several other heavy aircraft out of the way to prioritize the emergency descent. The aircraft landed safely on Runway 23 and underwent a visual inspection by fire crews on the taxiway before proceeding to the gate.
Analysis
This recording captures a textbook example of emergency management by both flight crew and air traffic control. The incident began when Air Transat 189, an Airbus A310-300, declared a "Mayday" while at flight level 280 (28,000 feet). The pilot reported a loss of power in the number two (right-side) engine. While the pilot noted the engine was still physically running, it was not producing thrust, necessitating a single-engine approach and landing.
The Toronto controllers demonstrated high competence by immediately clearing the "slot" for the emergency aircraft. This involved instructing an Air France flight to change heading and maintain speed to stay ahead, and canceling the approach clearance for a Shamrock (Aer Lingus) flight, forcing it into a holding pattern or breakout. This "clearing of the deck" ensures the emergency aircraft has an unobstructed path to the runway, which is critical if the situation degrades further.
Aviation enthusiasts will note the standard emergency protocols: the request for "souls and fuel" (238 passengers/crew and 6.3 tons of fuel) and the deployment of ARFF (Airport Rescue and Firefighting) units, referred to here by their "Red" and "Inspection" callsigns. The pilot’s decision to stop on the taxiway for an external inspection of the engine before taxiing to the gate is a standard safety precaution to ensure no fluids are leaking and no fire is present that the cockpit sensors might have missed.
The Airbus A310 is a twin-engine widebody aircraft. While it is fully capable of flying and landing on a single engine, the declaration of a Mayday is mandatory in such situations to ensure priority handling. The calm demeanor of the pilots and the seamless handoffs between Center, Arrival, Tower, and Ground controllers highlight the professional safety culture of Canadian aviation.
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
TRANSAT 189
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. Air Transat 189, Air Transat 189, Air Transat 189. We have an engine problem. Requesting a lower descent, currently level 280.
TRANSAT 189
Emergency, emergency, emergency. This is Air Transat 189. We have an engine failure. We need to descend to a lower altitude immediately; we’re currently at 28,000 feet.
ATC
Air Transat 189, Toronto, descend 15,000.
ATC
Air Transat 189, this is Toronto Control, go ahead and drop down to 15,000 feet.
TRANSAT 189
Descend 15,000, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Descending to 15,000 feet, Air Transat 189.
ATC
Air France 356, fly heading 310. I’ve got an aircraft right behind you on a Mayday and I don’t want to slow him down.
ATC
Air France 356, turn to a compass heading of 310. I have a plane right behind you in an emergency and I can’t have you slowing him down.
AIR FRANCE 356
Heading 310, Air France 356. Confirm speed?
AIR FRANCE 356
Turning to heading 310, Air France 356. What speed do you want us at?
ATC
Speed 250 knots.
ATC
Keep your speed at 250 knots.
AIR FRANCE 356
Speed 250, Air France 356.
AIR FRANCE 356
250 knots, Air France 356.
ATC
Air Transat 189, what is your situation?
ATC
Air Transat 189, can you give us an update on your situation?
TRANSAT 189
We have no power in one of our engines. Air Transat 189, Mayday.
TRANSAT 189
We have completely lost power in one of our engines. Air Transat 189, we are in an emergency.
ATC
Air Transat 189, Roger. Let us know when you have more information.
ATC
Understood, Air Transat 189. Just let us know when you have more information to share.
TRANSAT 189
Roger, we will.
TRANSAT 189
Understood, we’ll do that.
ATC
Air Transat 189, when you're able, can we get fuel on board and souls, please?
ATC
Air Transat 189, when you have a moment, could you give us your remaining fuel and the total number of people on board?
TRANSAT 189
Roger, standby. Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Got it, please wait one moment. Air Transat 189.
ATC
Air Transat 189, Roger. Descend 8,000.
ATC
Air Transat 189, understood. Descend further to 8,000 feet.
TRANSAT 189
Descend 8,000, Air Transat 189. It is engine number two, and we have 238 souls on board. Remaining fuel currently 6.3 tons.
TRANSAT 189
Down to 8,000 feet, Air Transat 189. It’s the number two engine that failed, and we have 238 people on board. We have 6.3 tons of fuel remaining.
ATC
Sorry, what was the amount of fuel?
ATC
Sorry, how much fuel do you have on board?
TRANSAT 189
6.3 tons.
TRANSAT 189
We have 6.3 tons.
ATC
Descend 7,000.
ATC
Go ahead and descend to 7,000 feet.
TRANSAT 189
7,000, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Down to 7,000 feet, Air Transat 189.
ATC
For the emergency, they’ve changed your runway to 24 Left.
ATC
Because of your emergency, they’ve switched your arrival to runway 24 Left.
TRANSAT 189
Runway change to 24 Left, Air Transat 189. Thank you.
TRANSAT 189
Changing to runway 24 Left, Air Transat 189. Thank you.
ATC
Transat 189, re-cleared 9,000.
ATC
Transat 189, you're now cleared to level off at 9,000 feet instead.
TRANSAT 189
Re-cleared 9,000, Air Transat 189. Just to keep you in the loop, the engine is still running, we just lost power on it. We should have no problems from here on.
TRANSAT 189
Cleared for 9,000 feet, Air Transat 189. Just to keep you updated, the engine is still spinning, but it's not producing any power. We shouldn't have any more problems from here on.
ATC
Contact Arrival 124.47 when you're ready.
ATC
Switch over to the arrival controller on frequency 124.47 when you're ready.
TRANSAT 189
124.47, Air Transat 189. Thank you. Toronto Arrival, Mayday. Level 9,000, requesting lower.
TRANSAT 189
124.47, Air Transat 189. Thank you. Toronto Arrival, we have an emergency. We're level at 9,000 feet and requesting to go lower.
ATC
Transat 189 Heavy, descend 6,000. Runway 23, cleared to intercept the localizer.
ATC
Transat 189 Heavy, descend to 6,000 feet. You're cleared to line up with the landing beam for runway 23.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, cleared to 6,000 and runway 23. We’ll intercept the localizer, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, down to 6,000 for runway 23. We’ll line up with the landing beam, Air Transat 189.
ATC
Shamrock 1 Golf Echo Heavy, approach clearance is cancelled. The aircraft you cleared Mayday behind you. Maintain 5,000 feet, turn right heading 330.
ATC
Shamrock 1 Golf Echo Heavy, your permission to land is cancelled. The plane behind you has declared an emergency. Stay at 5,000 feet and turn right to a heading of 330 degrees.
SHAMROCK 1GE
Maintain 5,000 feet, right heading 330, Shamrock 1 Golf Echo Heavy.
SHAMROCK 1GE
Staying at 5,000 feet, right turn to 330, Shamrock 1 Golf Echo Heavy.
ATC
Air Transat 189, descend 5,000.
ATC
Air Transat 189, descend to 5,000 feet.
TRANSAT 189
Descend 5,000, Air Transat 189. Are we still planning runway 23?
TRANSAT 189
Dropping down to 5,000 feet, Air Transat 189. Are we still lined up to land on runway 23?
ATC
Affirmative, runway 23. It’s just going to be a long downwind here behind the Mayday, but we'll still get you on 23. Transat 189, cleared ILS approach runway 23, speed your discretion.
ATC
That’s right, runway 23. We’re going to have you fly a long path parallel to the runway to stay behind the plane in distress, but we'll still get you onto 23. Transat 189, you’re cleared to use the instrument landing system for runway 23; fly at whatever speed you need.
TRANSAT 189
Cleared ILS 23, speed our discretion, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Cleared for the instrument landing on 23, choosing our own speed, Air Transat 189.
ATC
Shamrock 1 Golf Echo, turn right heading 060.
ATC
Shamrock 1 Golf Echo, turn right to a compass heading of 060.
SHAMROCK 1GE
Right heading 060, Shamrock 1 Golf Echo Heavy.
SHAMROCK 1GE
Right turn to heading 060, Shamrock 1 Golf Echo Heavy.
ATC
Shamrock 1 Golf Echo Heavy, contact Arrival now 132.8. Thank you for the help.
ATC
Shamrock 1 Golf Echo Heavy, switch over to the Arrival controllers now on frequency 132.8. Thank you for your help with the situation.
SHAMROCK 1GE
132.8, Shamrock 1 Golf Echo Heavy. Good day, thank you.
SHAMROCK 1GE
Switching to 132.8, Shamrock 1 Golf Echo Heavy. Have a good day, and thank you.
ATC
Transat 189, eight and a half miles behind a Falcon on short final now. Ground speed looks fine. Contact Tower 118.7.
ATC
Transat 189, you’re about eight and a half miles behind a small Falcon jet that is on its final approach now. Your speed looks good. Switch over to the Tower controllers on 118.7.
TRANSAT 189
118.7, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Switching to 118.7, Air Transat 189.
ATC
Falcon 1, just to let you know, coming up behind you on the right-hand side there’s an Airbus 310 in an emergency. So if you can just ease it a little further south and give them lots of room.
ATC
Falcon 1, just a heads-up, there is a large Airbus 310 in an emergency coming up behind you on your right-hand side. If you could just drift a little further south and give them plenty of room.
FALCON 1
Roger that, a little bit further south.
FALCON 1
Understood, moving a little bit further south.
TOWER
Air Transat 189, wind 230 at 25. The equipment will follow you down the runway. Do you plan to exit or stop on the runway?
TOWER
Air Transat 189, the wind is from the southwest at 25 knots. The emergency fire trucks will follow you down the runway as you land. Do you plan to pull off the runway or stop right on the strip?
TRANSAT 189
Okay, we check that. For now, we're going to plan to exit the runway, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, we copy that. For now, we are planning to pull off the runway after we land, Air Transat 189.
TOWER
Very good. If you go past Hotel 4, you can roll it all the way to the end—there's going to be nobody close behind you. Cleared to land runway 23, wind 230 at 24, Air Transat 189.
TOWER
Very good. If you go past the exit at taxiway Hotel 4, you can just keep rolling all the way to the end—there won’t be anyone close behind you. You are cleared to land on runway 23, wind is 24 knots from the southwest, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Cleared to land runway 23, Roger marks, Air Transat 189. Thanks.
TRANSAT 189
Cleared to land on runway 23, we've got the details, Air Transat 189. Thanks.
TOWER
That aircraft will exit, apparently, for all emergency vehicles. He's planning probably at least Hotel 4, maybe beyond.
TOWER
That plane is going to pull off the runway to clear the way for the emergency trucks. It looks like he'll turn off at taxiway Hotel 4, or maybe a bit further down.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Inspection 35, follow the Heavy down 23.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Inspection truck 35, follow that large aircraft down runway 23.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Red 4, Red 21, follow Air Transat down 23.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Fire trucks Red 4 and Red 21, follow the Air Transat plane down runway 23.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Red 5, proceed down 23 behind Air Transat.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Red 5, head down runway 23 right behind the Air Transat flight.
TOWER
Red 1, you can proceed onto 23 to join up with the aircraft.
TOWER
Red 1, you're clear to drive onto runway 23 and meet up with the plane.
RED 1
On 23, Red 1.
RED 1
Red 1 is heading onto runway 23.
TOWER
Transat 189, left onto Hotel. Give Ground your intentions on 121.65. He may ask you to call the fire service at frequency 122.67.
TOWER
Air Transat 189, turn left onto taxiway Hotel. Tell the ground controllers what you're planning on their radio channel 121.65. They might want you to talk to the fire crew directly on 122.67.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, we check that. Left on Hotel, we'll talk to Ground and 122.67.
TRANSAT 189
Got it. Turning left on Hotel, and we'll check in with Ground and the fire crew's radio.
TOWER
121.65 for the Ground. The fire service, if you need that, is 122.67.
TOWER
Just to be sure, Ground is on 121.65, and the fire crew is on 122.67 if you need them.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, 121.65.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, 121.65.
GROUND
Air Transat 189 Heavy, Ground. Good day. Did you need to stop and have people check you out, or are you good to taxi?
GROUND
Air Transat 189, this is Ground control. Do you need to stop for an inspection, or are you okay to drive to the gate?
TRANSAT 189
Yeah, actually we were just going to ask you to have them take a look at our number two engine to make sure everything's intact before we taxi in.
TRANSAT 189
Yes, actually, we'd like the crew to check our right-side engine to make sure everything looks okay before we head in.
GROUND
Transat 189, okay. Short of 15 Right, you can just stop there and we'll have everyone check you out.
GROUND
Transat 189, understood. Stop just before you reach runway 15 Right, and we'll have the emergency teams inspect you there.
TRANSAT 189
Air Transat 189, we'll stop here. Thanks.
TRANSAT 189
Air Transat 189, stopping right here. Thank you.
GROUND
And who's the Red vehicle in charge? You can come up on 122.67 and talk to Air Transat there. He wants the number two engine checked out. He's going to stop right there until you let him know what's going on.
GROUND
Which fire truck is in charge? Switch to radio channel 122.67 to talk to the pilot. He wants you to check his right-side engine. He's staying put until you tell him it's safe.
GROUND
Tractor 492, back with you.
GROUND
Tractor 492, I'm back on the line with you.
TRACTOR 492
Yes, sir. Tractor 492, you have a Transat 189 on the field. We have Operations trying to contact him, if possible, can you try to send a message?
TRACTOR 492
Yes, sir. Tractor 492 here. You’ve got that Air Transat flight 189 out on the airfield. Our operations office is trying to get a hold of them—if you can, could you try to pass them a message?
GROUND
Yeah, he's a little busy now. He's trying to get his engine checked out by the emergency services. So if you want to get back to the company, tell them as soon as he can, he'll give them a shout.
GROUND
Yeah, he’s a bit tied up at the moment. He’s busy having the emergency crews check out his engine. If you want to get back to your office, just tell them he’ll give them a shout as soon as he’s able to.
TRACTOR 492
Not a problem, just finding out if he needs assistance to get off the field. Not a problem, we'll call back. Thank you.
TRACTOR 492
Not a problem, we were just checking to see if he needed a tow to get off the airfield. No worries, we’ll check back later. Thank you.
GROUND
No, I think he was able to taxi, so he's going to—I'm sure he's going to taxi into the gate. But if there's anything else, I'm sure I'll get him to let you know.
GROUND
No, I think he was able to drive under his own power, so he’s going to—I’m sure he’ll just taxi right to the gate. But if anything else comes up, I’ll be sure to have him let you know.
TRACTOR 492
Roger, thanks very much. 492 out.
TRACTOR 492
Understood, thanks very much. 492 signing off.
TRANSAT 189
Ground, Air Transat 189. The engine looks alright. We are ready to taxi and the equipment is clear.
TRANSAT 189
Ground control, this is Air Transat 189. The engine looks okay. We’re ready to taxi to the gate and the emergency vehicles are clear of us.
GROUND
Thank you, Transat 189. Cross 15 Right, take Fox, November, and I'll get back to you further on November. While you're taxiing, if you can give the company a quick call, they've been looking for you apparently as well.
GROUND
Thank you, Transat 189. Cross runway 15 Right, then take taxiways Foxtrot and November, and I’ll give you more directions once you’re on November. While you’re moving, if you could give your airline office a quick call, apparently they’ve been looking for you too.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, we check that. We'll cross 15 Right, Foxtrot, then November, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, we’ll take care of that. We’re crossing runway 15 Right, then onto Foxtrot and November. Air Transat 189.
GROUND
Tractor 489, 122.27 after the ramp.
GROUND
Tractor 489, switch your radio to frequency 122.27 once you leave the ramp area.
TRACTOR 489
122.27, Tractor 489. Thanks.
TRACTOR 489
Switching to 122.27, Tractor 489. Thanks.
GROUND
Red 1 and company, you're going to follow Air Transat to the gate. I'll use you as the lead vehicle there. You're cleared to cross both 15s when instructed, and then all the way to the gate with Air Transat.
GROUND
Fire crew Red 1 and team, you’re going to follow that Air Transat plane to the gate. I’ll have you lead the way there. You’re cleared to cross both runways labeled 15 when I give the word, and then stay with the plane all the way to the gate.
GROUND
Transat 189, cross 15 Left, Bravo, hold short of Romeo.
GROUND
Transat 189, cross runway 15 Left, take taxiway Bravo, and stop just before you reach taxiway Romeo.
TRANSAT 189
Cross 15 Left, Bravo, hold short Romeo. Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Crossing 15 Left, onto Bravo, and stopping short of Romeo. Air Transat 189.
GROUND
Transat 189, turn left at Romeo, contact 122.27.
GROUND
Transat 189, turn left at taxiway Romeo and then switch your radio over to frequency 122.27.
TRANSAT 189
Left on Romeo, 122.27. Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
We're turning left onto taxiway Romeo and switching to the ramp control frequency 122.27. Air Transat 189.
GROUND
Red 1 and company, including Inspection 35, you can contact Apron as well on 122.27.
GROUND
Red 1 and your group, including the Inspection 35 vehicle, you can also switch over to the ramp control team on 122.27.
GROUND
Transat 189 and company, taxi lane 5 for Charlie 37.
GROUND
Transat 189 and the other aircraft with you, use taxi lane 5 to get to gate Charlie 37.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, Lane 5, Charlie 37, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Alright, taking Lane 5 to gate Charlie 37, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Apron, Air Transat 189. Did you say give way to company?
TRANSAT 189
Ramp control, this is Air Transat 189. Did you tell us to let the other plane from our airline go ahead of us?
GROUND
Transat 189, Lane 5 to the gate.
GROUND
Transat 189, just stay on Lane 5 all the way to your gate.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, Lane 5 to the gate, Air Transat 189.
TRANSAT 189
Okay, Lane 5 straight to the gate, Air Transat 189.
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