# Distress and Urgency Signals (MAYDAY/PAN PAN) and Procedures

> ICAO distress and urgency communication procedures with MAYDAY and PAN PAN phraseology, urgency signal usage, and message priorities.

- **Subject:** 090 — Communications
- **Section:** 090-05 — Distress and Urgency Procedures
- **Topic code:** 090-05-01
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-04-01
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/communications/distress-and-urgency-procedures/signals-and-procedures/

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## Definitions
*   **DISTRESS (Socorro)**: A condition of being threatened by **grave and imminent danger** and of requiring **immediate assistance**.
    *   Signal: **MAYDAY** (Spoken three times).
*   **URGENCY (Urgencia)**: A condition concerning the **safety** of an aircraft or other vehicle, or of some person on board or within sight, but which **does not require immediate assistance**.
    *   Signal: **PAN PAN** (Spoken three times).

## Priorities of Messages
Aeronautical messages are processed in the following order of priority (**ICAO Annex 10**):
1.  **DISTRESS** (MAYDAY).
2.  **URGENCY** (PAN PAN).
3.  **Direction Finding** (e.g., QDM requests).
4.  **Flight Safety** (ATC Instructions).
5.  **Meteorological** (METAR, SIGMET).
6.  **Flight Regularity** (Company messages).

## Distress Procedures (MAYDAY)
### Making the Call
The distress call should be made on the **air-ground frequency currently in use**. This ensures the controller and surrounding traffic are immediately aware. If unable, use **121.5 MHz** (Guard).

**Format**:
1.  **MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY**.
2.  **Name of Station** addressed.
3.  **Call Sign**.
4.  **Nature** of distress (e.g., Engine fire).
5.  **Intentions** (e.g., Emergency landing).
6.  **Position**, Level, Heading.

*Mnemonic*: **NIP** (Nature, Intention, Position).

### Imposing Silence
Other stations or the controller can impose silence to ensure the channel is clear for the distress traffic.
*   Phrase: "**STOP TRANSMITTING - MAYDAY**".
*   Termination: "**DISTRESS TRAFFIC ENDED**".

### Action by Other Stations
Stations aware of distress traffic must:
*   **Maintain silence** on the frequency.
*   **Monitor** the situation.
*   Only transmit if they can **render assistance** or if permitted by the controlling station.
*   ATC may transfer *other* traffic to a different frequency to leave the distress aircraft on the current one, or move the distress aircraft to a **discrete frequency**.

## Urgency Procedures (PAN PAN)
Used for situations like a **medical emergency** on board, engine failure (if flight can proceed safely for now), or getting lost.
*   Call Format: "**PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN**".
*   Includes: Name of station, Call sign, Nature of problem, Intention, Position.
*   **Medical Transports**: "PAN PAN MEDICAL" is reserved for protected medical transports (e.g., ambulances carrying organs/patients protected under conventions) but general medical emergencies on board use "PAN PAN" (often followed by nature of medical issue).

## SSR Transponder Codes
*   **7700**: Emergency / Distress ("Going to Heaven").
*   **7600**: Radio Failure ("Radio fix").
*   **7500**: Unlawful Interference ("Man with a knife").

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