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Emergencies

Browse Emergencies terms for pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew and aviation learners.

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Abnormales Verfahren

A specific set of steps followed by pilots to address system malfunctions or unusual situations not classified as emergencies.

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Abnormes Steuergesetz

A rare fallback flight control law in fly-by-wire aircraft used under severe system failures where no flight envelope protections are available and handling characteristics are degraded.

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Abschaltung Der Klimaanlage

An automatic or commanded shutdown of an air conditioning pack due to overtemperature, overpressure, or system fault, impacting cabin environmental control.

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Aktivierung des Steuerknüppelrüttlers

The activation of a device that rapidly vibrates the control column to warn the pilot of an impending aerodynamic stall.

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Alternatives Bremssystem

A backup braking system used when the primary brake system fails or becomes unavailable.

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Alternatives Steuergesetz

A degraded mode in fly-by-wire aircraft providing limited flight envelope protections, used when normal law is lost due to system faults.

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Ausfall beider Hydrauliksysteme

A simultaneous failure of two independent hydraulic systems on an aircraft, significantly degrading control and operational capability.

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Auslösung Der Notrutsche

The act of activating and extending the inflatable escape slide on an aircraft to facilitate emergency evacuation.

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Auslösung der Passagier-Sauerstoffmasken

The automatic or manual release of oxygen masks for passengers in response to cabin depressurization or smoke.

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Auswendig gelernte Verfahren

A set of critical procedures that flight crew must perform from memory during certain emergencies without consulting checklists first.

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Automatisierter externer Defibrillator

A portable device used to deliver an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest on board.

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Beidseitiger Triebwerksausfall

A critical emergency in which both engines of an aircraft stop producing thrust due to flameout, often requiring immediate gliding and restart procedures.

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Blitzeinschlag

A direct or indirect electrical discharge from the atmosphere to an aircraft, potentially causing damage to avionics, surfaces, or structural systems.

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Blockierung der Flugsteuerung

A condition in which the aircraft's primary or secondary flight control surfaces become unresponsive or stuck due to mechanical failure or obstruction.

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Bodenannäherungs-Warnsystem

An onboard system that alerts pilots if the aircraft is in immediate danger of flying into the ground or an obstacle.

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Bombendrohung

A reported or suspected presence of an explosive device on board an aircraft or within the airport area.

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Brand im Frachtraum

A detected or suspected fire in the aircraft's cargo hold, requiring immediate fire suppression and emergency procedures.

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Brand im Hilfstriebwerk

A fire involving the auxiliary power unit, typically located in the aircraft's tail, requiring immediate shutdown and fire suppression.

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Brandwarnung

Automated alert indicating detection of fire or overheat in an aircraft system area, requiring immediate crew action.

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Bremsenüberhitzung

A situation in which the aircraft's braking system exceeds safe operating temperatures, potentially reducing effectiveness or causing damage.

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Checkliste für unnormale Verfahren

A predefined checklist used by pilots to address abnormal but not emergency situations.

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Direktes Steuergesetz

A degraded flight control mode in fly-by-wire aircraft where control surfaces respond directly to pilot input without flight envelope protection.

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Doppelter Triebwerksausfall

A critical emergency situation where both engines of a multi-engine aircraft cease functioning in flight.

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Druckverlust in der Kabine

A condition in which an aircraft's cabin fails to maintain the required pressure differential compared to the outside atmosphere.

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Eisbildung Im Flug

The buildup of ice on aircraft surfaces during flight due to supercooled water droplets freezing on contact, which can impair performance or control.

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Ersatzinstrumentensystem

An independent set of basic flight instruments that provide critical information in case of primary display failure.

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Erste-Hilfe-Kasten

A collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid in case of minor injuries or medical needs onboard.

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Fahrwerksklappe Offen

A situation where the landing gear doors remain open after gear extension or retraction, indicating a potential malfunction or aerodynamic hazard.

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Fahrwerksstörung

A failure in the aircraft's landing gear system preventing proper extension or retraction.

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Flug Mit Eingeschränkter Instrumentierung

Flight conducted with limited or failed cockpit instruments, typically requiring reliance on backup or standby indicators for basic attitude, navigation, or altitude references.

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Flugzeugentführung

The unlawful seizure of an aircraft by an individual or group, often involving threats or force, during any phase of flight.

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Gelände-Warnung

A warning generated by aircraft systems indicating proximity to terrain that may result in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

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Heckaufsetzer

An incident in which the tail of the aircraft contacts the runway surface during take-off or landing due to excessive pitch attitude.

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Hydrauliksystemausfall

A malfunction in the aircraft's hydraulic system, potentially affecting control surfaces, landing gear, or brakes.

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Hydrauliküberhitzung

A condition in which the aircraft hydraulic system exceeds its normal operating temperature limits, potentially leading to system degradation or failure.

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Kabinen-Dekompression

A sudden or gradual loss of cabin pressure, requiring immediate response such as emergency descent and oxygen use.

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Kabinen-Sicherheitskontrolle

A safety verification by cabin crew to ensure passengers are seated, seat belts fastened, cabin items stowed, and emergency equipment is ready before take-off or landing.

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Kabinenrauch

Presence of smoke in the passenger or flight deck cabin, indicating potential fire requiring immediate attention.

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Kabinenräumung

An emergency procedure where passengers and crew exit the aircraft rapidly using all available exits, typically initiated after landing or in a critical situation.

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Kraftstoff-Querförderung

A procedure that allows fuel to be transferred from one tank to another, typically to correct a fuel imbalance or supply an engine when a tank is low.

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Kraftstoffungleichgewicht

A condition in which there is a significant difference in the quantity of fuel between the left and right tanks, potentially affecting aircraft stability or flight performance.

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Löschflasche für Triebwerksbrand

A pressurized container installed in aircraft engines used to release extinguishing agent when a fire is detected.

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Manuelles Ausfahren des Fahrwerks

The deployment of the aircraft's landing gear using a non-powered, manual backup system in the event of hydraulic or electrical failure.

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Mayday

International radiotelephony distress signal used to indicate a grave and imminent threat requiring immediate assistance.

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Medizinischer Notfall

A critical health-related situation on board requiring immediate attention and possible diversion to the nearest suitable airport.

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Mindesttreibstoff

A state where an aircraft’s fuel supply has reached minimum landing level; any additional delay may lead to emergency.

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Niedriger Treibstoffvorrat

A condition where the fuel remaining is less than planned final reserve but not yet an emergency.

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Notabstieg

A rapid descent initiated by flight crew in response to a pressurization failure, smoke, or other onboard emergency.

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Notfunkbake

A radio beacon automatically activated to transmit a distress signal, assisting search and rescue in locating an aircraft in distress.

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Notfunkbake

A portable beacon transmitting a distress signal for search and rescue, sometimes used interchangeably with ELT in aviation.

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Notwasserung

The controlled emergency landing of an aircraft on water.

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Notwasserungsübung

A procedure practiced by cabin crew and passengers for emergency water landings, including life vest use, brace position, and evacuation steps.

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Nur-Batteriebetrieb

A condition where the aircraft’s electrical system is operating solely on battery power, typically due to the failure of all generators or external power sources.

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Nutzung Des Flügelausstiegs

The operation of over-wing emergency exits by passengers or crew during evacuation procedures, usually in the case of land or water evacuations.

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Pan-Pan

International urgency signal indicating a situation requiring assistance but not immediately life-threatening.

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Pistenabkommen

An incident where an aircraft veers off or overruns the runway surface during take-off or landing.

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Pitotrohrvereisung

Ice formation in the pitot tube, which can obstruct accurate airspeed measurement, potentially leading to unreliable or erroneous cockpit indications.

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Rauch In Der Avionik-Bucht

Smoke detected in the avionics bay, indicating potential fire or overheating of electronic components, requiring immediate response and system isolation.

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Raucherkennung In Der Bordtoilette

An alert triggered by smoke sensors in the aircraft lavatory indicating possible fire, requiring immediate cabin crew and cockpit response.

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Rauchübung

A practiced emergency procedure used by flight or cabin crew to respond to smoke or fire in the aircraft.

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Reifenplatzer

A condition where an aircraft tyre bursts during taxi, take-off, or landing, possibly affecting braking or steering.

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Runway-Inkursion

Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and take-off of aircraft.

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Schneller Druckabfall

A sudden and unexpected loss of cabin pressure, requiring immediate descent and use of supplemental oxygen.

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Schnellreferenzhandbuch

A cockpit manual containing condensed checklists and procedures for abnormal and emergency situations.

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Schutzposition

A body position adopted by passengers and crew to minimize injury during an imminent impact or emergency landing, as per operator instructions.

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Sicherheitskontrolle

An official inspection of an aircraft or passengers by security personnel to ensure no security threats are present.

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Starke Turbulenz

Turbulence causing large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude, usually resulting in momentary loss of control and difficulty in maintaining aircraft control.

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Startabbruch

A procedure in which a take-off is intentionally aborted by the flight crew after the aircraft has started to roll but before it has lifted off the runway.

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Staudrucklufteinlass

An air intake system that uses forward motion of the aircraft to force external air into ducts for ventilation or pressurization.

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Strömungsabriss-Warnung

An alert that warns the pilot of an impending aerodynamic stall, usually through audible or tactile signals like a horn or stick shaker.

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Störung Der Ramluft-Einlassklappe

A malfunction where the ram air inlet door fails to open or close properly, affecting ventilation and cooling of avionics or cabin systems.

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TCAS-Resolution Advisory

An instruction issued by the aircraft's TCAS system to avoid potential collision with another aircraft, advising a vertical maneuver.

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Transpondercode 7700

The ATC transponder code universally set to indicate a general emergency, alerting controllers to an onboard emergency situation.

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Treibstoff‑Notfall

A condition where an aircraft’s fuel state is such that without immediate landing, safe completion of flight is doubtful.

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Triebwerksabtrennung

A catastrophic in-flight event where the engine detaches from the aircraft structure, requiring immediate emergency handling.

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Triebwerksausfall

A condition where one or more aircraft engines cease to provide thrust, requiring immediate emergency procedures.

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Unbeabsichtigte Seitenruderbewegung

An unintentional or spontaneous rudder movement not initiated by the pilot, potentially affecting aircraft yaw stability and directional control.

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Unrechtmäßige Einwirkung

An act of unlawful seizure, threat or attack against an aircraft, its passengers, crew or ground infrastructure that endangers aviation safety.

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Unruly-Passagier

A passenger whose disruptive or violent behaviour interferes with the safety or order of the flight and crew instructions.

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Unzuverlässige Fluggeschwindigkeit

A condition where the airspeed readings provided by the pitot-static system are incorrect or inconsistent, potentially leading to hazardous flight control inputs.

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Verstopfung Der Statischen Drucköffnung

An obstruction in the static pressure port of an aircraft, leading to erroneous altitude, airspeed, and vertical speed indications, potentially affecting flight safety.

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Verwendung der Sauerstoffmaske durch die Besatzung

The action taken by flight crew to don oxygen masks during situations such as smoke, fumes, or cabin depressurization.

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Verwendung Des Rettungsfloßes

The procedure of deploying and utilizing inflatable life rafts by crew and passengers following a water landing, in accordance with emergency protocols.

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Vogelschlag

A collision between an aircraft and one or more birds, often occurring during takeoff or landing and potentially affecting flight safety.

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Volle Seitenruderausschlag

A condition in which the rudder deflects fully to one side due to system failure or malfunction, potentially causing severe yaw deviation.

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Wasserlandung

An intentional or emergency landing of an aircraft on a body of water due to operational necessity or system failure.

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Windscherfluchtmanöver

A predefined and trained maneuver to escape from windshear conditions during takeoff or landing.

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Zapfluftleck

An unintended escape of high-pressure air from the aircraft bleed air system, which may affect pressurization, anti-ice, or environmental control systems.

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Zeitkritische Checkliste

A checklist containing emergency procedures that must be executed immediately to prevent loss of control or further danger.

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