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A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association

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6 EASTERN EASTERN REGION REGION On May 9, 2025, JetShare 845 (JRE845) departed Teterboro Airport (TEB) for Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK). Samed Rizvi was working the departure sector at Philadelphia ATCT/TRACON (PHL) for Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Shortly after JRE845's departure, Rizvi noticed the aircraft was not accelerating and instructed the pilot to increase speed to 250 knots. The pilot of JRE845 read back the clearance, but Rizvi noticed JRE845 almost immediately began losing altitude. Rizvi made repeated transmissions to the pilot, but responses became sporadic and delayed. His instincts told him something was not right. JRE845 was experiencing serious flight control issues. The airspace surrounding Newark, where JRE845 was operating, is among the nation's busiest and most complex, with Teterboro, LaGuardia, and Kennedy operating in close proximity. As Rizvi explained, "Newark departures climb parallel to the Teterboro arrivals until they have enough altitude to turn but must remain underneath the LaGuardia arrivals." Teterboro departures climb to 2,000 feet and can not continue to ascend until they are separated from the LaGuardia airspace boundary. Maintaining separation while handling an emergency in the Newark area airspace required Rizvi's constant coordination with Teterboro and Newark towers. Rizvi kept his cool and continued to work JRE845, which was only one of the many aircraft under his control. Soon after, Rizvi asked the pilot of JRE845 to ident, at which point the pilot squawked 7700, declaring an emergency. The pilot was only intermittently responsive and was turning, climbing, and descending as they struggled to retain control of the aircraft. Rizvi kept providing information and calling out the closest airports, even though JRE845 was not responding. Mike Szendrey, who was training Brenna Ambrose on the MUGZY sector, and Derek Vento, who was working finals, immediately assisted. They quickly coordinated to clear other aircraft from JRE845's path, so Rizvi would have room to help the distressed pilot maneuver. Rizvi continued to call out available airports along JRE845's route that were suitable for landing. After another notable pause, the pilot of JRE845 decided the best choice was to return to Derek Vento Brenna Ambrose Mike Szendrey Samed Rizvi Brenna Ambrose Philadelphia ATCT PHL Samed Rizvi Philadelphia ATCT PHL Mike Szendrey New York TRACON N90 Derek Vento Philadelphia ATCT PHL

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