During the NTSB’s probe into the February 2019 crash of an Atlas Air Boeing 767 into a marshy area in Trinity Bay, Texas, the board determined the crew lost control of the airplane as it approached Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The accident, an all-cargo flight, killed both pilots and also took the life of another airline pilot who was riding along in the jump seat.
Atlas Air Pilot Likely Reacted to Somatogravic Illusion
Key Takeaways:
- The Atlas Air Boeing 767 crash was primarily caused by the first officer's inappropriate response and spatial disorientation following an inadvertent go-around activation, leading to unrecoverable nose-down control inputs.
- Contributing factors included the captain's failure to adequately monitor the flight path and intervene, alongside both pilots failing to recognize the change in automated flight mode.
- The first officer had a documented history of poor flying abilities, lack of situational awareness, and an inability to handle stress, which was overlooked due to systemic deficiencies in pilot selection and the FAA's outdated pilot records system.
- The NTSB issued new safety recommendations focusing on preventing inadvertent go-around activations, implementing a more robust pilot records database, and requiring air carriers to thoroughly evaluate pilot training histories during hiring.
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