If a flight takes off from an airport and must land due to a medical emergency, what happens to the filed flight plan?

If a flight takes off from an airport and must land due to a medical emergency, what happens to the filed flight plan?

• A. It is closed automatically by ATC upon landing.
• B. It remains open and must be closed by the operator.
• C. It is automatically canceled.
• D. It is escalated to a higher airspace.

Answer: (A)

When you file an IFR flight plan, ATC keeps it active while you’re en route. Once the aircraft actually lands, ATC closes that flight plan in their system automatically. This automatic closure signals that the flight has terminated at the destination or the diversion field, and helps prevent unnecessary search and rescue actions or confusion about the aircraft’s status. Even if a medical emergency caused a diversion, the landing ends the active plan, and the operator would handle any follow-up filing or cancellation as needed.

When you file an IFR flight plan, ATC keeps it active while you’re en route. Once the aircraft actually lands, ATC closes that flight plan in their system automatically. This automatic closure signals that the flight has terminated at the destination or the diversion field, and helps prevent unnecessary search and rescue actions or confusion about the aircraft’s status. Even if a medical emergency caused a diversion, the landing ends the active plan, and the operator would handle any follow-up filing or cancellation as needed.