Originally Posted by
letMfly
Several years ago at Aberdeen an inbound helicopter made a rather panicky MAYDAY call on first contact with me on the TWR around 8 miles from the airfield , “unable to lower the landing gear”. At the time, our local instructions stated that for helicopters making a MAYDAY call at that stage of flight an “Aircraft Accident Imminent” must be declared by ATC to the emergency services, however, based on previous experience with similar circumstances I delayed this until the intentions of the captain were established. A much calmer voice from the cockpit stated, “we’ll just hold offshore and try to sort it out”. Ten minutes later the problem was sorted, gear down and a normal approach and landing made.
Interesting that an emergency was declared when it was.
Tell ATC that there is an issue which needs to be resolved using the ‘QRH’ (non normal checklist). Hold offshore.
If unsuccessful then declare it.