Surviving The Missed

As a student of NTSB reports and an active instrument flight instructor, I have come to the conclusion we do not stress preparedness for the missed approach procedure enough, either in initial instrument training or in instrument proficiency checks. In addition to collisions with obstacles because of an improperly flown missed, the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee, an FAA/industry working group charged with identifying and mitigating the causes of fatal general aviation accidents, has identified loss of control during a missed approach as one of its focus scenarios. This suggests that—even when the pilot attempts to fly the missed approach procedure properly—the workload of doing so may be greater than the pilot is prepared to handle. So how can we make certain we are properly briefed for the missed approach, so we know how to fly it correctly? What can we do to reduce pilot workload while flying the missed?

Key Takeaways:

• Thorough preparation for a missed approach is vital, including briefing the entire procedure (especially the initial climb) and trimming the aircraft for climb speed during the approach to reduce workload.
• When executing a missed approach, prioritize actions by strictly following "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate": first establish a positive climb, then follow navigation, and only afterward communicate with ATC to prevent critical distractions.
• Frequent practice of missed approaches under varying conditions is essential to build proficiency, make the procedure natural, and mitigate the risk of loss of control or controlled flight into terrain.

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