Teaching and Teaching and Testing CFITTesting CFITAvoidanceAvoidance

2012/5/21-009 (E)

• What is “CFIT”?• What Flight Environments

are Most Common?• How Do We Train/Test to

Avoid?

The ObjectivesThe Objectives

A Classic CFIT?A Classic CFIT?

Pilot CertificationPilot Certification

Aircraft TypeAircraft Type

Phase of FlightPhase of Flight

Six Basic CausesSix Basic Causes• Loss of Situational Awareness• Cockpit Distractions• Complacency• Lack of Technical or Operational

Experience• Lack of Adequate Preparation• Confusion

Human Human FactorsFactors

“We need to educate pilots that violations during

conditions conducive to CFIT risk are major

contributors to death!”

“Controlled” ?

Terrain Not seen, or

Performance Not Available

Terrain Not Seen?Terrain Not Seen?

Terrain Not Seen?Terrain Not Seen?

What Are Some Environmental Factors That

Would Make Terrain “Unseen”?What about:

Night; Visibility; Obscurations; Others?

What Factors Other Than Environmental Could Make

Terrain “Unseen”?• Spatial Disorientation• Loss of situational awareness• Reduced reaction time to see & avoid• Optical illusions• Getting lost or off flight planned route• Head down in the cockpit• Scud running• Distractions

What Factors Exist When Flying IFR / IMC?

• Currency / Proficiency• Current charts / plates / GPS database• Knowing when to say “Unable”• Knowing how & when to use equipment• Following MAP procedures• Knowing MSA & OROCAs• Improperly set altimeter• Unstable approach• Complacency

EquipmentEquipment

How Do We Train/Test How Do We Train/Test For CFIT Avoidance For CFIT Avoidance

When Terrain is When Terrain is “Unseen”?“Unseen”?

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WeatherChannel

WeatherChannel

ADDSWinds,Temps

@ 72 HrsTAFs24 Hrs METAR

1 HrPast

Prog 48 - 72 Hrs

What Are Some Environmental Factors That Would Make Performance

Unavailable?What About:

Density Altitude; Horsepower; Ice; Mountain

Wave;Ridge Lee Side Sink

What Factors other than Environmental Would Make Performance Unavailable?

• Mechanical• Lack of Pilot Skills• Failure to fly within Operating

Limitations• Distraction / diversion of attention• Buzzing

How Do We Train/Test For CFIT Avoidance When

Performance Not Available?

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Consider: An Easy 2 Hr Flt From Chinle (E91) to Henderson

(HND) Las Vegas

Consider: An Easy 2 Hr Flt From Chinle (E91) to Henderson

(HND) Las Vegas

Diverted to Winslow

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Then Throw in WeatherThen Throw in Weather

MST Event

1400 Departed Chinle, AZ (E91), Monday, Dec 18

1445 Enroute Between Layers; Diverts to Winslow (INW)

~1515 Lands @ INW; Decides To RON; Spouse to Drive out (~5 Hrs)

~1615 Pilot Decides to Go South Around Wx

~1645 Returned to INW & Preflighted

1715 Departed INW

1724 Sunset; Twilight Ends 1754

~1830 Crash; 1+15 In The Air; 20 min Straight Line

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Then Plan B - Also 2 Hr - And Throw In Night VFR into IMC

Then Plan B - Also 2 Hr - And Throw In Night VFR into IMC

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A Timeline to DisasterA Timeline to Disaster

MST Event

1400 Departed Chinle, AZ (E91)

1445 Enroute Between Layers; Diverts to Winslow (INW)

~1515 Lands @ INW; Decides To RON; Spouse to Drive out (~5 Hrs)

~1615 Pilot Decides to Go South Around Wx

~1645 Returned to INW & Preflighted

1715 Departed INW

1724 Sunset; Twilight Ends 1754

~1830 Crash; 1+15 In The Air; 20 min Straight Line

Discuss This CFIT Accident:In What Ways is It Common

to Other CFITs?In What Ways is It Unique?

Total Risk Increases as Square of Factors

InvolvedMountains = risk level 1Mountains + Weather = risk level 4Mountains + WX + Night = risk level

9Mountains + WX + Night + External

Pressure = risk level 16Mts. + WX + Night + EP + Unfamiliar

route = Risk Level 2525

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How Do YOU Train/Test to Avoid CFIT?

PreFlight Preparation especially WXTerrain to Be Overflown

Mountain Area Wind EffectsOther?

Summary:CFIT Comes in Two Main

Categories:1. Can’t See to Avoid

2. Can’t Perform to Avoid

Pilot Discipline Pilot Discipline CANCAN Help Help to Avoid CFIT Accidents!to Avoid CFIT Accidents!

WWW.SAFEPILOTS.ORG

WWW.FAASAFETY.GOV

Thanks to: Gold Seal Flight

WWW.GOLDSEALFLIGHT.COM

Written by: Bill Castlen, Hobie Tomlinson,Doug Stewart