Pilot-Related

We all want to fly safely, but it doesn’t work out that way sometimes. The accident record is filled with instances in which a pilot or two failed to fully implement that desire. Although pilots always are finding new ways to bend airplanes, that’s not the norm. Instead, too many accidents are repeats of pilots’ past poor performances: Sadly, we keep doing the same things, but expect different results.

Editorial Staff

Friday, November 16, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The vast majority of general aviation accidents (around 70-75%) are attributed to pilot error, often repeating common mistakes rather than encountering novel issues.
These pilot-related accidents primarily stem from two categories: poor decision-making (e.g., fuel mismanagement, continuing VFR into IMC, low-level maneuvering) or deficiencies in piloting skills (e.g., during takeoff and landing).
To prevent these recurring accidents, pilots are urged to proactively seek training to enhance their skills and continuously learn from others' experiences to improve their decision-making.

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So, what are some of the things we keep doing to find ourselves in the NTSB database? Once we identify what they are, what can we do to prevent ourselves from repeating them? Using the most recent Joseph T. Nall Report from the AOPA Air Safety Institute (ASI), which looks at accidents during 2010 as well as how they stacked up historically, let’s find out.