Although loss of control accidents have declined on the commercial side of U.S. air transportation, the data shouldn’t lull pilots of any size aircraft into believing the top cause of fatal accidents around the world has been reined in, a point demonstrated when the pilots of a chartered Hawker 700 lost control of their aircraft on approach to Akron, Ohio, last year. The subsequent crash killed all nine people on board.
Loss of Control Is Still a Very Real Issue
Key Takeaways:
- Loss of control (LOC) remains a leading cause of fatal aviation accidents globally, exemplified by a recent fatal Hawker 700 crash, despite declining statistics in U.S. commercial aviation.
- A Boeing 757 experienced a near-LOC incident during a go-around in Bristol, highlighting critical issues with auto-flight system interaction and crew situational awareness.
- The incident involved the First Officer engaging an "altitude capture" function without informing the Captain, resulting in an extreme nose-up pitch and a significant drop in airspeed.
- The event underscored the vital need for improved autoflight system monitoring, effective crew communication, and enhanced go-around training, leading to additional pilot training and operational procedure improvements.
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