SOUTHERN REGION 20
On Feb. 14, 2016, the pilot of a Cessna 172S departed from Madison
Municipal Airport (52A) to conduct aerial photography at a location 10
miles southwest of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL).
The pilot, Cathy Lewan, contacted Atlanta TRACON (A80) and controller
Patrick Burrows to advise her location and declare an emergency due to
a malfunction. The throttle was stuck in the max power setting.
Burrows briefed the controller in charge (CIC), Clay Sutton, who immediately
established specific duties for team members during this emergency.
First, Mason Braddock was briefed on the situation and advised that the
pilot would be contacting him due to the greatly improved frequency
reception. Next, Sutton reassigned Nichole Surunis to assist Braddock.
Braddock continued to communicate with Lewan, at times reminding her
to watch her airspeed and continually reassuring her. Sutton and Front
Line Manager Bryant Vaughan decided that a Certified Flight Instructor
(CFI) should provide additional service. There fortunately was one on
Burrows' frequency who heard the initial distress call. He came onto
Braddock's frequency and Tyus worked with Braddock to help advise
Lewan. The CFI advised that she make a gradual descent to the runway
KEITH TYUS
NICHOLE SURUNIS
MASON BRADDOCK
PATRICK BURROWS
CLAY SUTTON
ATLANTA TRACON
Pilot Cathy Lewan, Cessna 172S
