A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1478079
EASTERN REGION 12 David Lomascolo Potomac TRACON (PCT) Eric Lomascolo Potomac TRACON (PCT) On a blustery winter day in January 2022, N3039L, a Socata Tobago, was inbound for Manassas Airport (HEF). Notably on this day, there was snow actively falling and the winds were roaring, causing a complex scenario for any pilot to contend with. As the pilot reached about 10 miles north of Frederick Airport (FDK) the pilot reported being shaken around and dealing with ingestion of ice into the engine. This led to additional issues, including problems with the vacuum. The aircraft then began to lose altitude. NATCA member Eric Lomascolo was working radar at Potomac Consolidated TRACON (PCT). He attempted to set the pilot up for a straight in ILS approach to Runway 23 to get the pilot on the ground as soon as possible. Due to the short setup time and heavy gusts, the aircraft overshot the localizer. Everything happened quickly. This made Eric and his brother David, who also is a PCT member, aware that the pilot needed assistance. An emergency was declared on the pilot's behalf. While this was going on, David, who was working Flight Data, was reaching out and attempting to assess the airport conditions at Frederick, including weather, braking action, and any possible pre-treatment. Frederick reported that the airfield had not been cleared, and in fact no aircraft had landed recently, so conditions were unknown. David attempted to get any assessment of the field, like the amount of snow covering the runway. The pilot was set up for a second approach to Frederick. The strong crosswinds and other complications led this second approach to not be viable. The brothers utilized their weather awareness to set the pilot up for a third approach with a longer inbound course to allow the pilot to set up with less wind impact. Also, at this time the pilot reports, "I'm getting bounced all over the place sir, very violently." The pilot also began experiencing By Jaymi Steinberg (Washington Center, ZDC)