Running The Scud

Getting under a cloud layer and proceeding visually to a destination has been a temptation for pilots since the beginning. Airmail pilots, cruising at maybe 80 mph, had plenty of time to see and avoid obstacles down really low, but they still crashed airplanes. There were a lot fewer obstacles back then, and what were likely to be flying these days is a lot faster.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

"Scud running"—low-altitude visual flight in deteriorating weather—is a persistent and dangerous temptation for pilots, often fueled by overconfidence, route familiarity, and pressure to complete a flight.
Accidents frequently occur near a destination, even when pilots are IFR-capable, as they attempt to push through bad conditions despite the inherent risks.
A case study details a 2014 accident where an experienced, IFR-rated pilot fatally impacted an unlit wind turbine at night in instrument conditions, despite familiarity with the wind farm.
The NTSB attributed the crash to the pilot's decision to continue into known bad weather at low altitude and his failure to avoid the unlit turbine, underscoring that even highly qualified pilots are vulnerable.

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The temptation is still there, though, often resulting from overconfidence in one’s abilities and supposed familiarity with the route, among other factors. Add in some pressure to complete the flight—whether self-imposed or demanded by passengers—and you’ll do what you can to find a way to complete the mission. That’s when the temptation to do something less than smart can be at its greatest.