Stupid Pilot Tricks

Like the (un?)welcome holiday letter from distant edges of your family, its again time to see how the GA family has fared in our annual Safety-Takes-A-Holiday review. The rules are simple: Applicants need only do something stupid in an aircraft that results in financial harm but no loss of life. Qualifying lapses in aeronautical decision making (ADM) can occur in IMC or VMC, day or night, with or without a valid pilot certificate and in anything that flies-legally or not. Boneheaded stunts must be verified by the NTSB, so were using calamities from 2011, the most recent with NTSB-posted probable cause. No, we dont make this stuff up.

Editorial Staff

Monday, December 15, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

General aviation accidents frequently stem from fundamental pilot errors such as poor landing techniques, delayed go-arounds, and misjudgment of obstacles, often resulting in property damage but no loss of life.
A significant number of incidents involve pilots lacking proper certification or adequate training, or demonstrating poor judgment, even when flight instructors are present.
Poor situational awareness, including misinterpreting navigation aids, landing at incorrect locations, and fuel mismanagement, are recurrent themes in GA mishaps.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Like the (un?)welcome holiday letter from distant edges of your family, it’s again time to see how the GA family has fared in our annual Safety-Takes-A-Holiday review. The rules are simple: Applicants need only do something stupid in an aircraft that results in financial harm but no loss of life. Qualifying lapses in aeronautical decision making (ADM) can occur in IMC or VMC, day or night, with or without a valid pilot certificate and in anything that flies—legally or not. Boneheaded stunts must be verified by the NTSB, so we’re using calamities from 2011, the most recent with NTSB-posted “probable cause.” No, we don’t make this stuff up.