• CFIT •
CFIT is defined as an unintentional collision with terrain (the ground, a mountain, a body of water, or an obstacle) while an aircraft is under positive control. Most often, the pilot or crew is unaware of the looming disaster until it is too late.
CFIT most commonly occurs in the approach or landing phase of flight. Accidents where the aircraft is out of control at the point of impact are not known as CFIT. Rather, they are considered uncontrolled flight into terrain. Similarly, incidents resulting from deliberate acts, such as terrorism or suicide by the pilot, are also not considered to be CFIT.
Safety Risk Management (SRM) is a vital part of warding off a possible CFIT accident. It involves knowing what you’re getting into and understanding what capabilities and resources you have that will ensure a flight is completed safely. This starts at preflight. Make use of a Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) and the PAVE acronym (Pilot, Aircraft, EnVironment, and External Pressures) to help you build a personalized risk assessment before a flight.
During flight, you also need to stay vigilant to any changing conditions, like deteriorating weather, fuel status, and the onset of fatigue. Be ready and willing to adjust your plans. Don’t let Plan Continuation Bias (aka Get-there-itis) or external pressure lure you into making a poor decision. Having a Plan B at the ready can make a route change much easier to rationalize and accept.
Finally, be sure to give yourself some breathing room. That means at least a mile from airspace and 2,000 feet vertically from terrain you’re trying to avoid. And since weather is very dynamic, you may consider even greater clearance distances to avoid any unexpected IMC.
Source: FAA
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NDT Inspector 2 at Rolls Royce
2moThanks for sharing