Distress

Distress is a situation in which an aircraft or the people on board are threatened by serious and imminent danger and need immediate assistance. In radiotelephony, the pilot declares it with MAYDAY, normally spoken three times in the initial call. It is more severe than urgency, which uses PAN-PAN. Aviate first, then declare MAYDAY, state the problem, position and intentions, and expect ATC to give you priority and coordinate help.