12 Classic Accident Pitfalls
Nick Mayhew -
Mike Phillips -
Objectives
• Identify 12 classic accident pitfalls.
• Define what is dangerous.
• Give real examples.
• How do we do it safely?
#1 Classic Pitfall
Responding to peer pressure.
G-CRST, A109, Central London 16 January 2013
#1 Classic Pitfall
Responding to Peer Pressure.
#1 Classic Pitfall
Responding to peer pressure.
G-CRST, A109, Central London 16 January 201
Responding to Peer Pressure
This is poor decision making based upon emotional responses to peers rather than evaluating a
situation objectively.
16 January 2013
Central London En route for passenger pick up
G-CRST, A109, Central London 16 January 2013
#2 Classic Pitfall
Mental Expectancy.
Mental Expectancy
The inability to recognize and cope with changes in a situation different than that anticipated or planned. Visual illusions and similar aural sounds
occurring at the “wrong” time often lead to such miscues.
#1 Classic Pitfall
Responding to peer pressure. Map
G-CRST, A109, Central London 16 January 2013
10 December 1993
Sightseeing Flight 14 NM SE of airport Flagstaff, AZ
#3 Classic Pitfall
Get-there-it-is.
Get-There-It-Is
This “disease,” common among pilots, clouds the vision and impairs judgment
by causing a fixation on the original goal or destination combined with a total disregard for any alternative
courses of action.
21 June 1985
Ship to Shore Resupply Mission Near Tayport, UK
#4 Classic Pitfall
Duck Under Syndrome.
Duck Under Syndrome
The tendency to “sneak a peek” by descending below minimums during an approach. Based on a belief that there is always a built in “fudge factor” that
can be used or an unwillingness to admit defeat and shoot a missed
approach.
27 September 2008
HEMS Patient Transfer 3.2 NM North of Andrews AFB
#5 Classic Pitfall
Scud Running.
Scud Running
Pushing the capabilities of the pilot and the aircraft to the limits
by trying to maintain visual contact with the terrain while
trying to avoid physical contact with it.
26 December 2011
The aircraft departed Mayo Clinic on a medical transport mission and impacted terrain 17 minutes later.
#6 Classic Pitfall
Continuing VFR into IMC.
Continuing VFR Into IMC
The all-to-often result of the practice of scud running when this becomes the
only alternative to flying into the ground. It is even more dangerous if
the pilot is not instrument qualified or is unwilling to believe what the instruments are indicating.
27 July 2013
Planned Route of Flight
Passenger Drop Off Flight Noxen, PA
#7 Classic Pitfall
Getting Behind The Aircraft.
Getting Behind The Aircraft
Allowing events or the situation to control your actions rather than the other way around. This is
characterized by a constant state of surprise at what happens next.
#8 Classic Pitfall
Loss of Positional/Situational Awareness.
Loss of Positional/Situational Awareness
Another case of “getting behind the aircraft” which results in not knowing
where you are, and an inability to recognize deteriorating circumstances and/or the misjudgment of the rate of
deterioration.
28 May 2012
Platform ST67B Gulf of Mexico Passenger Pickup
#9 Classic Pitfall
Operating Without Sufficient Fuel Reserves.
Operating Without Sufficient Fuel Reserves
Ignoring minimum fuel reserve requirements under either Visual Flight rules or Instrument Flight Rules. This is
generally the result overconfidence, a lack of flight planning, or deliberately
ignoring the regulations.
6 August 2011
Mosby, MO HEMS Patient Transfer
Planned Route Of Flight
#10 Classic Pitfall
Descent Below Minimum Enroute Altitude.
Descent Below Minimum Enroute Altitude
The duck-under syndrome (mentioned earlier) manifesting itself during the en route portion
of an Instrument Flight Rules operation.
22 April 1994
Planned Track
Actual Track
HEMS Patient Transfer Bluefield WV
#11 Classic Pitfall
Flying Outside the Envelope.
Flying Outside the Envelope
Unjustified reliance on the (usually mistaken) belief that the aircraft’s high
performance capabilities meet the demands imposed by the pilot’s (usually overestimated) high performance flying
skills.
4 May 2000
Blanding, UT Seismic Survey
#12 Classic Pitfall
Neglect of Flt Planning, Checks, Pre-Flights, Etc.
Neglect of Flt Planning, Checks, Pre-Flights, Etc.
Unjustified reliance on the pilot’s (usually overestimated) short and
long term memory of regular flying skills, of repetitive and
familiar routes, etc.
9 June 2009
Search and Rescue Mission near Santa Fe, NM
12 Classic Pitfalls - Summary
• Responding to peer pressure.
• Mental expectancy.
• Get-there-it is.
• Duck Under Syndrome.
• Scud Running.
• Continuing VFR into IMC.
• Getting Behind The Aircraft.
• Loss of Positional/Situational Awareness.
• Operating Without Sufficient Fuel Reserves
• Descent Below Minimums En Route.
• Flying Outside The Envelope.
• Neglect of Flt Planning, Checks, Pre Flights etc.
Questions and Discussion