Abnormal Control Law
A rare fallback flight control law in fly-by-wire aircraft used under severe system failures where no flight envelope protections are available and handling characteristics are degraded.
View termCategories
Emergencies
Browse Emergencies terms for pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew and aviation learners.
Languages
Abnormal Procedure
A specific set of steps followed by pilots to address system malfunctions or unusual situations not classified as emergencies.
View termAir Conditioning Pack Trip
An automatic or commanded shutdown of an air conditioning pack due to overtemperature, overpressure, or system fault, impacting cabin environmental control.
View termAlternate Brake System
A backup braking system used when the primary brake system fails or becomes unavailable.
View termAlternate Control Law
A degraded mode in fly-by-wire aircraft providing limited flight envelope protections, used when normal law is lost due to system faults.
View termAutomated External Defibrillator
A portable device used to deliver an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest on board.
View termAuxiliary Power Unit Fire
A fire involving the auxiliary power unit, typically located in the aircraft's tail, requiring immediate shutdown and fire suppression.
View termAvionics Bay Smoke
Smoke detected in the avionics bay, indicating potential fire or overheating of electronic components, requiring immediate response and system isolation.
View termBattery-Only Power
A condition where the aircraft’s electrical system is operating solely on battery power, typically due to the failure of all generators or external power sources.
View termBird Strike
A collision between an aircraft and one or more birds, often occurring during takeoff or landing and potentially affecting flight safety.
View termBleed Air Leak
An unintended escape of high-pressure air from the aircraft bleed air system, which may affect pressurization, anti-ice, or environmental control systems.
View termBlown Tyre
A condition where an aircraft tyre bursts during taxi, take-off, or landing, possibly affecting braking or steering.
View termBomb Threat
A reported or suspected presence of an explosive device on board an aircraft or within the airport area.
View termBrace Position
A body position adopted by passengers and crew to minimize injury during an imminent impact or emergency landing, as per operator instructions.
View termBrake Overheat
A situation in which the aircraft's braking system exceeds safe operating temperatures, potentially reducing effectiveness or causing damage.
View termCabin Depressurization
A sudden or gradual loss of cabin pressure, requiring immediate response such as emergency descent and oxygen use.
View termCabin Evacuation
An emergency procedure where passengers and crew exit the aircraft rapidly using all available exits, typically initiated after landing or in a critical situation.
View termCabin Secure Check
A safety verification by cabin crew to ensure passengers are seated, seat belts fastened, cabin items stowed, and emergency equipment is ready before take-off or landing.
View termCabin Smoke
Presence of smoke in the passenger or flight deck cabin, indicating potential fire requiring immediate attention.
View termCargo Compartment Fire
A detected or suspected fire in the aircraft's cargo hold, requiring immediate fire suppression and emergency procedures.
View termCrew Oxygen Mask Use
The action taken by flight crew to don oxygen masks during situations such as smoke, fumes, or cabin depressurization.
View termDirect Control Law
A degraded flight control mode in fly-by-wire aircraft where control surfaces respond directly to pilot input without flight envelope protection.
View termDitching
The controlled emergency landing of an aircraft on water.
View termDouble Engine Failure
A critical emergency situation where both engines of a multi-engine aircraft cease functioning in flight.
View termDual Engine Flameout
A critical emergency in which both engines of an aircraft stop producing thrust due to flameout, often requiring immediate gliding and restart procedures.
View termDual Hydraulic System Loss
A simultaneous failure of two independent hydraulic systems on an aircraft, significantly degrading control and operational capability.
View termEmergency Descent
A rapid descent initiated by flight crew in response to a pressurization failure, smoke, or other onboard emergency.
View termEmergency Locator Beacon
A portable beacon transmitting a distress signal for search and rescue, sometimes used interchangeably with ELT in aviation.
View termEmergency Locator Transmitter
A radio beacon automatically activated to transmit a distress signal, assisting search and rescue in locating an aircraft in distress.
View termEngine Failure
A condition where one or more aircraft engines cease to provide thrust, requiring immediate emergency procedures.
View termEngine Fire Extinguishing Bottle
A pressurized container installed in aircraft engines used to release extinguishing agent when a fire is detected.
View termEngine Separation
A catastrophic in-flight event where the engine detaches from the aircraft structure, requiring immediate emergency handling.
View termEscape Slide Deployment
The act of activating and extending the inflatable escape slide on an aircraft to facilitate emergency evacuation.
View termFire Warning
Automated alert indicating detection of fire or overheat in an aircraft system area, requiring immediate crew action.
View termFirst Aid Kit
A collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid in case of minor injuries or medical needs onboard.
View termFlight Control Jam
A condition in which the aircraft's primary or secondary flight control surfaces become unresponsive or stuck due to mechanical failure or obstruction.
View termFuel Crossfeed
A procedure that allows fuel to be transferred from one tank to another, typically to correct a fuel imbalance or supply an engine when a tank is low.
View termFuel Emergency
A condition where an aircraft’s fuel state is such that without immediate landing, safe completion of flight is doubtful.
View termFuel Imbalance
A condition in which there is a significant difference in the quantity of fuel between the left and right tanks, potentially affecting aircraft stability or flight performance.
View termGround Proximity Warning System
An onboard system that alerts pilots if the aircraft is in immediate danger of flying into the ground or an obstacle.
View termHijacking
The unlawful seizure of an aircraft by an individual or group, often involving threats or force, during any phase of flight.
View termHydraulic Overheat
A condition in which the aircraft hydraulic system exceeds its normal operating temperature limits, potentially leading to system degradation or failure.
View termHydraulic System Failure
A malfunction in the aircraft's hydraulic system, potentially affecting control surfaces, landing gear, or brakes.
View termIn-Flight Ice Accretion
The buildup of ice on aircraft surfaces during flight due to supercooled water droplets freezing on contact, which can impair performance or control.
View termLanding Gear Door Open
A situation where the landing gear doors remain open after gear extension or retraction, indicating a potential malfunction or aerodynamic hazard.
View termLanding Gear Malfunction
A failure in the aircraft's landing gear system preventing proper extension or retraction.
View termLavatory Smoke Detection
An alert triggered by smoke sensors in the aircraft lavatory indicating possible fire, requiring immediate cabin crew and cockpit response.
View termLife Raft Use
The procedure of deploying and utilizing inflatable life rafts by crew and passengers following a water landing, in accordance with emergency protocols.
View termLightning Strike
A direct or indirect electrical discharge from the atmosphere to an aircraft, potentially causing damage to avionics, surfaces, or structural systems.
View termLoss Of Pressurization
A condition in which an aircraft's cabin fails to maintain the required pressure differential compared to the outside atmosphere.
View termLow Fuel State
A condition where the fuel remaining is less than planned final reserve but not yet an emergency.
View termManual Landing Gear Extension
The deployment of the aircraft's landing gear using a non-powered, manual backup system in the event of hydraulic or electrical failure.
View termMayday
International radiotelephony distress signal used to indicate a grave and imminent threat requiring immediate assistance.
View termMedical Emergency
A critical health-related situation on board requiring immediate attention and possible diversion to the nearest suitable airport.
View termMemory Items
A set of critical procedures that flight crew must perform from memory during certain emergencies without consulting checklists first.
View termMinimum Fuel
A state where an aircraft’s fuel supply has reached minimum landing level; any additional delay may lead to emergency.
View termNon-Normal Checklist
A predefined checklist used by pilots to address abnormal but not emergency situations.
View termOver-Wing Exit Use
The operation of over-wing emergency exits by passengers or crew during evacuation procedures, usually in the case of land or water evacuations.
View termPan-Pan
International urgency signal indicating a situation requiring assistance but not immediately life-threatening.
View termPartial Panel Operations
Flight conducted with limited or failed cockpit instruments, typically requiring reliance on backup or standby indicators for basic attitude, navigation, or altitude references.
View termPassenger Oxygen Mask Deployment
The automatic or manual release of oxygen masks for passengers in response to cabin depressurization or smoke.
View termPitot Tube Ice
Ice formation in the pitot tube, which can obstruct accurate airspeed measurement, potentially leading to unreliable or erroneous cockpit indications.
View termQuick Reference Handbook
A cockpit manual containing condensed checklists and procedures for abnormal and emergency situations.
View termRam Air Inlet
An air intake system that uses forward motion of the aircraft to force external air into ducts for ventilation or pressurization.
View termRam Air Inlet Door Failure
A malfunction where the ram air inlet door fails to open or close properly, affecting ventilation and cooling of avionics or cabin systems.
View termRapid Decompression
A sudden and unexpected loss of cabin pressure, requiring immediate descent and use of supplemental oxygen.
View termRejected Take-Off
A procedure in which a take-off is intentionally aborted by the flight crew after the aircraft has started to roll but before it has lifted off the runway.
View termRudder Hardover
A condition in which the rudder deflects fully to one side due to system failure or malfunction, potentially causing severe yaw deviation.
View termRunway Excursion
An incident where an aircraft veers off or overruns the runway surface during take-off or landing.
View termRunway Incursion
Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and take-off of aircraft.
View termSecurity Search
An official inspection of an aircraft or passengers by security personnel to ensure no security threats are present.
View termSevere Turbulence
Turbulence causing large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude, usually resulting in momentary loss of control and difficulty in maintaining aircraft control.
View termSmoke Drill
A practiced emergency procedure used by flight or cabin crew to respond to smoke or fire in the aircraft.
View termStall Warning
An alert that warns the pilot of an impending aerodynamic stall, usually through audible or tactile signals like a horn or stick shaker.
View termStandby Instrument System
An independent set of basic flight instruments that provide critical information in case of primary display failure.
View termStatic Port Blockage
An obstruction in the static pressure port of an aircraft, leading to erroneous altitude, airspeed, and vertical speed indications, potentially affecting flight safety.
View termStick Shaker Activation
The activation of a device that rapidly vibrates the control column to warn the pilot of an impending aerodynamic stall.
View termTail Strike
An incident in which the tail of the aircraft contacts the runway surface during take-off or landing due to excessive pitch attitude.
View termTerrain Awareness Warning
A warning generated by aircraft systems indicating proximity to terrain that may result in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
View termTime-Critical Checklist
A checklist containing emergency procedures that must be executed immediately to prevent loss of control or further danger.
View termTraffic Collision Avoidance System Resolution Advisory
An instruction issued by the aircraft's TCAS system to avoid potential collision with another aircraft, advising a vertical maneuver.
View termTransponder Code 7700
The ATC transponder code universally set to indicate a general emergency, alerting controllers to an onboard emergency situation.
View termUncommanded Rudder Input
An unintentional or spontaneous rudder movement not initiated by the pilot, potentially affecting aircraft yaw stability and directional control.
View termUnlawful Interference
An act of unlawful seizure, threat or attack against an aircraft, its passengers, crew or ground infrastructure that endangers aviation safety.
View termUnreliable Airspeed
A condition where the airspeed readings provided by the pitot-static system are incorrect or inconsistent, potentially leading to hazardous flight control inputs.
View termUnruly Passenger
A passenger whose disruptive or violent behaviour interferes with the safety or order of the flight and crew instructions.
View termWater Ditching Drill
A procedure practiced by cabin crew and passengers for emergency water landings, including life vest use, brace position, and evacuation steps.
View termWater Landing
An intentional or emergency landing of an aircraft on a body of water due to operational necessity or system failure.
View termWindshear Escape Maneuver
A predefined and trained maneuver to escape from windshear conditions during takeoff or landing.
View term