You're correct about the tone of my post. In my view, if I say
'emergency' that's it. If the controller offers something like this
one did, -- I think he said "Unable 17,C circle to land 31 R", it
might have been reasonable (?) for the pilot to assume there were real
reasons, not convenience, that did not allow him to use 17 L, C, or
R.

Still, the PIC should have, and I think by the lessons learned, he and
future pilots in similiar circumstances, will be, mor assertive. I
also think it will be a long time before another controller makes the
same mistake.

This ATC problem has a happy ending -- no one got hurt, and lessons
were learned.





On Feb 22, 2:44 am, "d&tm" wrote:
"Tony" wrote in message

ps.com... Did anyone see the news about an AA (maybe 777) airplane declaring a
fuel emergency in DFW, requesting a downwind landing to I think 17
Center, and being told no, had to circle to land on 31 R?

I'm not exactly sure of those details, but it's close enough. It's
that old deal, when a pilot makes a mistake, the pilot dies, and when
a controller makes a mistake, the pilot dies. Turns out the airplane
had enough fuel to circle and land, butr damn it, heads should roll,
or at least jobs lost.

from reading the tone of your post , I presume you think this is all the
controllers fault?
I suspect the PIC has a damn lot of explaining to do to keep his job..
terry