Its nearing dusk as two Piper Senecas descend toward Highfuelprices Regional Airport on vectors for the VOR approach. Published minimums are 500 and 1. The airport has weather reporting and forecasting, the airplanes have the same avionics. Seneca A is being flown by a pilot with commercial, instrument and multi-engine ratings and a current Part 135 approval; the flight is being operated under Part 135 as there is a five-pound box of urgent documents under the cargo net 288
Flying Below Minimum Altitudes
Its nearing dusk as two Piper Senecas descend toward Highfuelprices Regional Airport on vectors for the VOR approach. Published minimums are 500 and 1. The airport has weather reporting and forecasting, the airplanes have the same avionics. Seneca A is being flown by a pilot with commercial, instrument and multi-engine ratings and a current Part 135 approval; the flight is being operated under Part 135 as there is a five-pound box of urgent documents under the cargo net behind the rear seats. Meanwhile, Seneca B is being flown by a pilot with commercial, instrument and multi-engine ratings, a 23-month-old flight review and some question as to whether he is instrument-current. It is a Part 91 flight. There are four passengers on board who are splitting the cost of the flight with the pilot. Before they reach the final approach fix, the controller advises both aircraft that the airport weather is now 400 overcast and mile visibility in rain and mist. Seneca A pilot advises the controller she cannot continue the approach and that shed like to climb 1000 feet or so and hold at the FAF while she decides whether to go to her alternate or wait for the weather to improve. The pilot of Seneca B hears the weather report and continues with the approach because he wants to take a look.
Key Takeaways:
- Unlike Part 135/121 pilots, Part 91 pilots are legally permitted to begin instrument approaches when weather is below minimums, allowing them to "take a look," a practice that frequently leads to dangerous attempts to land below prescribed minimums and a significant number of accidents.
- This risky behavior is exacerbated by psychological factors: "plan continuation bias" drives pilots to complete the mission despite worsening conditions, while "partial reinforcement" (occasional success in busting minimums) encourages repeated dangerous attempts.
- The article strongly advises Part 91 pilots, despite the legality of "taking a look," to recognize these powerful psychological forces and proactively decline to begin approaches when weather is reported below minimums, thereby avoiding situations that tempt them into illegal and extremely unsafe maneuvers.
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