CFIT

[GraemeSmith]

FAASafety Topic of the Month - November:

Technological advances in situational awareness have dramatically reduced the number of General Aviation CFIT accidents over the past 20 years. Nevertheless, CFIT accidents continue to occur and at least half of them are fatal. This program acquaints the audience with the nature of CFIT accidents, their precursors, technological and safety risk management solutions to CFIT challenges.

Reducing CFIT Risk

• Pilots of all certificate levels are prone to CFIT accidents.
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• Most General Aviation CFIT accidents occur during the day and half occur in VMC.

• Pilots must accurately assess the risk associated with each flight and plan accordingly. They must also continuously reassess risk en route and commit to alternate plans before they are in a state of emergency.

• IFR procedural mistakes account for a significant portion of CFIT accidents each year. Instrument pilots must be sure they are complying with all aspects of the clearances they accept and the procedures they fly.

• Wire Strikes are often cited in CFIT accident reports and they are common in Agricultural Operations but more than half of them are not associated with Ag flying.


References:

Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B) – Chapter 2 – ADM
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policie ... ak_ch2.pdf

NTSB CFIT Safety Alert
https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-aler ... SA_013.pdf

AC 61-134 General Aviation Controlled Flight Into Terrain Awareness
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policie ... ntID/22907