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Managing CFITs Risk

under the control of a pilot

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • General aviation (GA) continues to struggle with Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents, a problem largely eliminated in commercial aviation, with poor risk management identified as the primary underlying cause.
  • CFIT accidents in GA are frequently attributed to a failure to manage risks associated with environmental factors (weather, terrain, night operations) and pilot-specific issues like lack of proficiency, fatigue, or external pressures.
  • These accidents are largely preventable through proactive risk assessment and mitigation, emphasizing the importance of utilizing available technology (e.g., terrain awareness systems), proper training, adherence to procedures, and maintaining a professional attitude.
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Although the U.S. and European airline industries have mostly eliminated controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents by adopting new technologies, improved training and relevant procedures, general aviation continues to be plagued by them. Meanwhile, the FAA and the general aviation community have recognized that CFIT accidents are a major safety problem. The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC)—a group of FAA and industry organizations seeking data-driven solutions for key general aviation safety problems—has analyzed accident data and is targeting the most prevalent causal factors, concentrating on reduction of fatal accidents. Work groups are then formed to develop mitigations for these causal factors, emphasizing non-regulatory solutions.

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