Accident Offers Lesson in Combating Pilot Complacency

Michael Wildes says when pilots gain more experience, some let their guard down—sometimes to chilling effect.

Michael Wildes

Monday, November 08, 2021 at 05:01 PM ET

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Michael Wildes says there are lots of things pilots can do to fend off complacency. Adobe Stock

Key Takeaways:

The fatal 2019 Addison, TX accident was attributed to pilot error and incorrect rudder input following an engine failure, highlighting how even highly experienced pilots can mismanage emergencies due to complacency and the startle effect.
To prevent similar incidents, pilots must prioritize pre-flight briefings, adhere to checklists, and establish clear crew resource management (CRM) roles to ensure readiness for unexpected events.
The article emphasizes the importance of systematic guard rails, like those found in larger flight departments, to combat complacency, encouraging all pilots to adopt robust safety practices.
New technologies, such as Garmin's Smart Rudder Bias, offer promising advancements to assist pilots during critical one-engine inoperative events, potentially serving as an additional hedge against complacency.

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Earlier this year, the NTSB determined that the cause of an accident in Addison, Texas, in June 2019, was the result of pilot error. Specifically, the report noted that the pilot of Beechcraft King Air 350 experienced a left engine failure on liftoff, and responded with left rudder input, the very opposite of what was needed. The pilot, his co-pilot and eight passengers on board were killed.

According to the report, if the pilot determined the need for right rudder and used that instead, the airplane would have been controllable.