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ASRS 1775414

ACN 1775414 · 2020-12 · Small Aircraft

GA pilot reported inadvertently entering PHL Class B airspace without a clearance due to distraction from having to troubleshoot the GPS system on the aircraft.

Pilot narrative

Verbatim, de-identified by NASA. Placeholders: ZZZ, X, Y.

While flying a VFR flight to LOM, I may have entered the Philadelphia Bravo airspace without clearance. I was communicating with PHL ATC on 124.35 for flight following. I was told to climb from 3,000 to 3,500 to avoid a TFR but don't remember specifically being cleared into the bravo airspace. Normally I would verify with ATC before entering the bravo if I was unsure. However, on this flight, my GPS equipment lost the GPS signal near Wilmington and I got distracted troubleshooting it. I was a few miles into the Bravo airspace when I realized I had not double checked the clearance. I was still talking with PHL ATC and they did not express any concerns with my location.

NASA classification · Anomalies

  • Aircraft Equipment Problem
  • Airspace Violation
  • Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural

NASA classification · Assessments

Contributing Factors / Situations
Aircraft · Human Factors
Primary Problem
Human Factors

ASRS reports are voluntary, de-identified by NASA, and represent the reporter's perspective; they are not investigated and cannot be used to infer prevalence. Authoritative source: asrs.arc.nasa.gov ↗