Accident - G-BXBU

2023-011: It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority publish guidance for general aviation pilots on responding to unexpected weather deterioration, highlighting the factors affecting their performance and the benefits of planning before the flight how they will respond.

In addition to the guidance highlighted in the CAA’s initial response to this safety recommendation, the CAA is also developing a new Safety Sense Leaflet (SSL) dedicated to inadvertent entry into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) when operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The SSL will include guidance on planning to avoid a ‘VFR into IMC’ scenario and what actions to take if a pilot is confronted with deteriorating weather conditions and ends up in IMC when not appropriately qualified.

The SSL has been developed with input from internal and external subject matter experts and is scheduled to be published by March 31st 2024.

The CAA considers the above actions satisfy the intent of the safety recommendation.

Adequate - Closed

Closed

2023-012: It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority require air traffic controllers to receive training regarding the human performance characteristics and limitations associated with stress. This should include the verbal cues that may indicate that a pilot is operating under high stress, and mitigation strategies to help controllers deal with such event.

The CAA ATM Principal Inspectors have been monitoring units’ inclusion of safety incidents and accidents in refresher training as part of the ongoing oversight programme. They have been assured that this accident and learnings from it have been widely incorporated into refresher training. As such we do not believe that there would be benefit gained from issuing a Safety Notice to ANSPs at this point.

We previously advised that the syllabus, which forms the Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) for Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2015/340 (the ATCO licensing regulation will be reviewed in conjunction with the legislation changes proposed for UK Reg (EU) 2015/340.

Adequate - Open

November 2026

2023-013: It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority specify the types of information that air traffic controllers will obtain and record when responding to aircraft in an emergency to ensure that pilots’ needs are met and reported correctly if communicated to other air traffic control units.

In addition to existing text in CAP413 ‘Radiotelephony Manual’ we have identified CAP745 as the appropriate publication in which to promote the types of information that should be obtained and recorded by means of a checklist template. The draft CAP745 as developed by the Flight Safety Committee Working Group has been subject to an initial review by the Airspace/ATM Policy and Oversight teams. The review has concluded that a considerable amount of work will be required before the document could be published as a Civil Aviation Authority publication (CAP).

Partially Adequate - Open

November 2026

2023-014: It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority encourage the use of checklists in air traffic management operations when dealing with abnormal and emergency situations.

Refer to our update for 2023-013 in respect of CAP745 and related checklists.

Adequate - Open

November 2026

2023-015: It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority determine the effect the D&D Cell’s executive control has on civil ATCOs and inform civil ATCOs of any differences in their responsibilities whilst executive control is exercised.

CAP493 - Manual of Air Traffic Control (MATS) Part 1, twelfth edition dated 31 October 2025 has now been published, incorporating CAP493 SI 2024/01: Distress and Diversion Cell and removing all reference to Executive Control and Operational Control. It now better describes the functions and services offered by the D&D Cell and their interactions with civil ATS units.

Adequate - Open

November 2026