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The decision was made to move all other aircraft on the Mooney's frequency onto another frequency so Schuler
could concentrate solely on the emergency at hand. Schuler continuously asked the pilot about the aircraft's fuel
status and received the response that fuel levels were fine. Yet every time the aircraft turned south with strong
headwinds, the aircraft showed a speed of only 40 knots in Schuler's radar data block.
Then, the pilot reported that he'd lost an engine. Schuler convinced him to fly to Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR),
over which he had been circling at 5,000 feet. The only approach aligned for Runway 29 was with the use of GPS.
Schuler did not believe the pilot's GPS equipment – an iPad on low battery – was reliable, so he gave vectors to the
pilot for the VOR approach to Runway 29. The pilot was continuously turning his aircraft in the wrong direction and
descending on his own because of the distraction of his failing GPS.
N9525M: Yeah, I've got about another 10 percent on this iPad then I have no GPS left in this plane.
Schuler: Forget the GPS. Level your wings. Fly the aircraft. Do that first.
Schuler was able to focus the pilot and direct his descent into BDR. The pilot broke out of the clouds at approximately
600 feet above ground level as ATC was losing radar contact with him. The pilot was able to safely make a circling
approach to Runway 29.
RVP Dean Iacopelli:
Jeff is the first NATCA member from New York TRACON to win an Archie League Award! The
professionalism and calm approach he displayed throughout this event is a reflection of
not only his expertise, but of our profession overall. We have the finest, most dedicated
professionals in the world operating the safest and most efficient air traffic control system in
the world. Without his expert guidance, the pilot may have been too distracted to make a safe
landing. I'm proud to represent Jeff as a member of the Eastern Region, and as a member of
our great Union.
