---
title: "Distress signal — aviation glossary — OnlyPlanes"
description: "The international radiotelephony distress signal for grave and imminent danger."
canonical_url: "https://onlyplanes.ru/en/learn/mayday"
locale: en
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  "og:title": "Distress signal — aviation glossary"
---

> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://onlyplanes.ru/llms.txt)

Aviation abbreviation

# Distress signal

ABBR · Radio communications and ATC

At a glance

## Meaning of Distress signal

The international radiotelephony distress signal for grave and imminent danger.

### More about Distress signal

A distress call normally begins with MAYDAY repeated three times. When possible, the crew then provides identification, the problem, intentions and position.

Air traffic services organise assistance and radio priority. PAN PAN is a separate urgency signal for situations not involving the same level of immediate danger.

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