Who can declare an emergency?

• A. PIC only
• B. PIC, ATC, or a Dispatcher
• C. ATC only
• D. Ground crew

Answer: (B)

An emergency declaration is the formal way to alert air traffic control that a flight is in a hazardous situation and needs immediate priority. The Pilot in Command has the primary authority on the aircraft and can declare an emergency whenever safety is at risk, ensuring ATC gives the flight priority and resources. Air Traffic Control can also initiate an emergency declaration if they observe distress or determine that the situation requires priority handling to protect safety and manage other traffic. A dispatcher, acting as the operator’s representative, can declare an emergency to ATC on the flight’s behalf to accelerate coordination and ensure appropriate assets and routing are provided when the PIC cannot or has authorized the dispatcher to act. Ground crew aren’t in a position to declare an in-flight emergency to ATC.