On Feb. 12, 2009, 50 people lost their lives as Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed while on an instrument approach into Buffalo Niagara International Airport. As is the case with many accidents, several causes contributed to the crash, including icing conditions and fatigue. However, what may have saved the lives of the people on board that airplane and on the ground can be summed up in three simple words: “unload for control.”
Getting Upset in a Bizjet
Key Takeaways:
- Loss of control in flight and stalls are major causes of fatal aviation accidents, exemplified by Colgan Air Flight 3407, often due to pilots failing to properly reduce the angle of attack.
- Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) is a critical solution that teaches pilots to "unload for control" by reducing the angle of attack to recover from unexpected aircraft upsets and stalls.
- Flight Research in Mojave, California, provides specialized UPRT using actual business jets (Sabreliner) and advanced trainers (Impala) to offer realistic, hands-on experience in recovering from various extreme flight attitudes.
- This comprehensive training, though an investment, aims to significantly enhance pilot skills and safety, with some insurance companies beginning to recognize its value and offer incentives.
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