Citation X (C750)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Procedure; Airspace Structure; Aircraft; Human Factors
As we were approaching MYAM we were first cleared to 7;000 by Miami Center; then to 5;000. Due to a note in our briefing--'ATC will request that you report departing 1;500 MSL on the approach. Cancel Flight Plan on ground via Nassau radio 124.2 or ATS Supervisor at XXX XXX-XXXX'--we understood that we were not allowed to cancel IFR until we were on the ground. At 5;000 we could not contact Miami; so then tried Freeport Approach on a frequency we got off the approach plate. We were unable to contact either facility. However; we were able to descend VFR and land. Once on the ground we were able to cancel IFR using the above phone number. Another air crew relayed a message from Miami that we should have cancelled earlier. Due to the loss of communication we thought the safest option was to land visually.I believe the note should be made to read: 'If unable to cancel airborne; cancel on the ground via Nassau radio 124.2'. In addition; a note could be added to state 'below 7;000 MSL voice communication with Miami may be lost'.
As we approached 7;000 FT ATC issued us a new clearance to 5;000 and he wanted to know if we wanted to cancel IFR. I told my partner that I thought I read a note in the feasibility section of our brief that indicated we had to cancel on the ground only so I told him not to cancel IFR until we landed. By that time we were over the airfield at 5;000 FT; monitoring CTAF on opposite radio. We made advisory calls as required. Upon reaching the airport; I decided to do lost comm procedure. We were VMC so we maintained VMC and landed as soon as practical. Miami Center did not warn me that communications were sketchy below 7;000 in the area we were in. Had they advised; if contact is lost; do an alternate procedure that they preferred; I would have been happy to comply. As it was we were scrambling to reestablish communications through both radios and using any frequency we thought might be useable to no avail. By the time we were over the field; we made a decision to follow lost comm procedures.
While descending IFR into MYAM the co-Captains of a Citation X lost contact with ATC. After becoming VMC they followed lost comm procedures and landed visually. A poorly structured briefing note regarding communications contributed to confusion between ATC and the flight crew with respect to canceling their flight plan.