The National Transportation Safety Board’s decision to add “loss of control” to its 10 Most Wanted list of safety improvements in 2015 served as another clarion call for help to stem what has become the top killer in airplanes of all shapes and sizes. While pilots losing control of their aircraft is not a new problem, a number of high-profile commercial aviation accidents — including the 2009 crash of Continental Flight 3407 in Buffalo, New York — brought the topic front and center to pilots over the past decade, with the NTSB’s listing putting a harsh spotlight on the issue. The Buffalo accident led to Public Law 111-216, which will soon require upset prevention and recovery training, as well as full-stall simulator training, for Part 121 commercial air carrier pilots.
The Persistent Threat of Loss of Control
Key Takeaways:
- Loss of Control (LOC) is the leading cause of fatal aviation accidents, particularly in General Aviation (GA), prompting the NTSB to add it to its "Most Wanted List" of safety improvements.
- While commercial aviation has significantly reduced LOC accidents through mandated Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), GA has shown slow progress with no similar regulatory thrust, despite persistently high fatality rates.
- Current GA pilot training is often insufficient to prevent LOC, as it typically focuses on basic stall recovery rather than the critical understanding of aerodynamics and unexpected upset scenarios that cause most fatal incidents, highlighting a need for training beyond minimum standards.
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