The National Transportation Safety Board’s decision to add “loss of control” to its 10 Most Wanted list of safety improvements in 2015 served as another clarion call for help to stem what has become the top killer in airplanes of all shapes and sizes. While pilots losing control of their aircraft is not a new problem, a number of high-profile commercial aviation accidents — including the 2009 crash of Continental Flight 3407 in Buffalo, New York — brought the topic front and center to pilots over the past decade, with the NTSB’s listing putting a harsh spotlight on the issue. The Buffalo accident led to Public Law 111-216, which will soon require upset prevention and recovery training, as well as full-stall simulator training, for Part 121 commercial air carrier pilots.
The Persistent Threat of Loss of Control
Key Takeaways:
- Loss of Control (LOC) is the leading cause of aviation fatalities, leading the NTSB to classify it as a top safety priority.
- While commercial aviation has significantly reduced LOC accidents through mandatory Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), General Aviation (GA) has made slower progress.
- The majority of LOC fatalities occur in GA, attributed to current training inadequacies, pilots' limited understanding of upset aerodynamics, and minimal regulatory requirements for advanced training beyond basic stall recovery.
- Experts advocate for GA pilots to pursue comprehensive UPRT, focusing on awareness, prevention, and recovery, emphasizing that training beyond regulatory minimums is crucial for mitigating these lethal events.
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