Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) Accident

 What's is Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) Accident and What are the reasons behind this?

FAA (General Aviation-Joint Steering Committee -Safety Enhancement Topic GAJSC) defined the CFIT as an unintentional collision with terrain (the ground, a mountain, a body of water, or an obstacle) while an aircraft is under positive control.

Accidents where the aircraft is out of control at the point of impact are not known as CFIT, Rather, they are considered uncontrolled flight into terrain. Similarly, incidents resulting from deliberate acts, such as terrorism or suicide by the pilot, are also not considered to be CFIT.

and also IATA defined the CFIT is refers to accidents in which there was an in-flight collision with terrain, water, or obstacle, without indication of loss of control. 

CFIT is the second highest cause of fatal accidents, and about half of CIFT Accident are fatal and there around 40 CFIT per year(GAJSC). 

What are the reasons behind this?

Contrary to popular belief, predominantly occur during daylight hours in visual meteorological conditions (VMC), rather than at night or in poor weather conditions.

The primary cause is often a (loss of situational awareness - LSA) 1, when pilots lose track of their altitude, position relative to the terrain, or the aircraft’s course.

Wire strikes are also a significant contributor, often happening below 200 feet AGL and in non-agricultural operations.

Other causes include IFR procedural errors and overestimating aircraft performance in challenging conditions, like high-density altitude or tailwinds on approach.

How can I steer clear of CFIT?

Safety Risk Management (SRM) is crucial for preventing CFIT (Controlled Flight Into Terrain) accidents. It begins during preflight with tools like the Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) and the PAVE acronym (Pilot, Aircraft, Environment, and External Pressures) to assess risks and ensure safe flight planning.

SRM also requires constant vigilance during flight, monitoring for changing conditions like weather, fuel, and fatigue, and avoiding Plan Continuation Bias (Get-there-itis) 2.Having contingency plans (Plan B) can help rationalize necessary route changes.

Technology plays a significant role in situational awareness, with tools like moving maps and terrain overlays aiding pilots.

These advances have helped reduce CFIT accidents over the past two decades. However, pilots must stay proficient in using these tools and avoid allowing them to become distractions, always prioritizing flying the aircraft first.

Using EGPWS/TAWS (Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System) and (Terrain Awareness and Warning System)

1. Keep Databases Updated: Ensure that your terrain/obstacle/runway database is current, as highlighted in the joint IATA/Honeywell guidance on Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS).
2. Enhance Access to Database Information: Utilize the guide developed by IATA and EGPWS/TAWS suppliers to obtain the latest Terrain Database (TDB) updates. This guide provides instructions and resources for accessing these updates.
3. Conduct CFIT Analysis: Use the IATA Annual Safety Report to analyze aviation accidents. The interactive features allow you to filter data by various parameters like timeframe and aircraft type, providing insights into CFIT trends and patterns.

Tips and best practices for keeping your piloting skills sharp

1. Simulators & Training Devices: Use flight simulators to practice instrument procedures and familiarize yourself with new environments, though remember this isn't enough for real flights.
2. Regular Proficiency Training: Ensure you regularly train with a flight instructor, ideally incorporating scenario-based training like FAA WINGS Pilot Proficiency Training.
3. Maintain Safe Distances: Keep at least a mile from airspace and 2,000 feet vertically from terrain. Allow extra clearance in dynamic weather conditions to avoid unexpected Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).

EGPWS (Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System) Description

The EGPWS is a Terrain Awareness and Alerting System that provides terrain alerting and display functions with additional features. It utilizes aircraft inputs such as geographic position, attitude, altitude, ground speed, vertical speed, and glideslope deviation. These inputs are cross-referenced with internal databases of terrain, obstacles, and airports to predict potential conflicts between the aircraft’s flight path and terrain or obstacles. When a potential conflict is detected, the EGPWS provides visual and audio alerts.

The EGPWS contains the following databases:

1. Terrain Database
• A worldwide database with varying resolution levels.
2. Obstacle Database
• Known obstacles 100 feet or greater in height.
3. Runway Database
• Runways 3500 feet or longer in length (2000 feet or longer in some EGPWS models).

Additional Features:

• Alerts for excessive glideslope deviation.
• Alerts for "too low with flaps" or gear not in landing configuration.
• Optional bank angle and altitude callouts, based on system configuration settings.
• Detection of severe windshear conditions (for selected aircraft types, when enabled).

Definition

1. Loss of situational awareness (LSA) 
• Occurs when a person or team loses track of important elements in their environment, leading to poor decision-making. In aviation, LSA often involves a failure to perceive, comprehend, or project critical information such as weather conditions, equipment status, aircraft position, or other aircraft in the vicinity. This can result in dangerous situations like mid-air collisions CFIT, or incorrect responses to emergencies.
• LSA isn't limited to aviation; it can occur in any high-risk field, such as medicine, military operations, or driving, where maintaining an accurate understanding of the current environment is essential for safety and effectiveness. Factors like stress, fatigue, distractions, and overconfidence can all contribute to a loss of situational awareness. 
2. Get-there-itis
• Is an informal term often used in aviation and other transportation contexts. It refers to a mindset where a person becomes overly focused on reaching their destination, potentially at the expense of safety or sound judgment. This mentality can lead to risky decision-making, such as continuing a flight despite poor weather conditions or mechanical issues, rushing through safety procedures, or disregarding necessary rest or maintenance.
• This term is particularly relevant in aviation, where pilots may feel pressure to complete a trip on time despite potential hazards, increasing the risk of accidents.

Useful Links

1. Performance assessment of pilot response to EGPWS
2. Enhance access to EGPWS / TAWS information

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