CHAPTER 4 CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN f‘Arr Teen ook Conpeny tpiavam actectbooks comCHAPTER 4: CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN DEFINITION. ‘The expression “Controlled Flight Into Terrain" (CFIT) describes a situation in which an airworthy aircraft, under the control of the pilot, is inadvertently flown into terrain, water or obstacles with the pilot, at all times, being unaware of the approaching disaster. CFIT can theoretically occur during most phases of flight, but is more ‘common during the approach and landing phase. From the previous definition, you will see that CFIT is a category of aircraft accident which would mainly involve a pilot flying on instruments in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), when there are no external visual references. However, a VFR pilot who becomes disorientated in low visibility Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), of who inadvertently flies into IMC, will also run the risk of a CFIT accident; therefore we have judged that the inclusion on CFIT is relevant for the private VFR. pilot. CONTRIBUTORY ERRORS. There are three main errors which contribute to CFIT accidents gathered from statistical data, they are:- CFIT Linked Errors Decision Errors. Cause 50% of accidents Skill Based Errors Cause 30% of accidents Errors of Perception Cause 20% of accidents DECISION ERRORS. Decision errors occur because of poor decision making or lack of appropriate knowledge. Decision errors fall into four main sub-categories’ + Improper fight planning, + Improper altitude or clearance + Weather evaluation inadequate. + Improper remedial action. SKILL BASED ERRORS. Skill based errors can occur because of lapses in basic flying skills, such as: . Lack of instrument flying training or practice. : Not complying with clearance. : Not maintaining airspeed. 36, ‘Arora Technidal Book Company hit:wuvactechbooks.com‘CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN : Not keeping @ good lookout. : Not maintaining the correct glidepath . Poor emergency procedures. . Not maintaining altitude or correct separation, ERRORS OF PERCEPTION. Errors of perception occur if sensory input is degraded. Examples of errors of perception are: : Spatial disorientation/vertigo. . Misjudged altitude. . Misjudged manoeuvre or procedure. : Visual illusion. . Misjudged distance or descent. EXAMPLES OF CONTRIBUTORY ERRORS TO CFIT. To highlight some of the errors which contribute to CFIT, the following summaries are offered for your consideration. . Apilot encounters weather conditions that are worse than forecast and, in an attempt to maintain or regain visual contact with the ground, in an area of low cloud and dense fog, descends, and the aircraft strikes the ground. . A pilot loses situational awareness while flying over snow-covered terrain under a low overcast ceiling and flies into the ground because of the lack of extemal visual references. + A pilot flying in marginal weather conditions with poor external visual references is over-reliant on his GPS, and, despite the weather, continues to follow the GPS routing. While attempting to remain VMC, he strikes the ground. CFIT AVOIDANCE. ‘The means used to avoid CFIT can be grouped into two main categories: aircraft equipment and educationftraining. Investigations of CFIT accidents indicated that many of them would have been avoided if some form of terrain warning system or improved navigation systems had been available. 36. ‘Arora Technisal Book Company hit:wuvactechbooks.comCHAPTER 4: CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRA EQUIPMENT - THE GROUND PROXIMITY WARNING SYSTEM. ‘The Ground Proximity Waming System (GPWS) is designed to wam a pilot if there is danger that his aircraft may fly into the ground, ‘The GPWS monitors an aircraft's height above the ground based on information from a radio altimeter. The GPWS computer constantly interprets this information, calculates trends, and will if the aircraft arrives in a dangerous position, or ifits rate of descent is excessive, the GPWS will issue visual and audio warnings. ‘The various situations in to which the GPWS will respond, with typical warming messages, are: . Excessive descent rate ("PULL UP", “SINKRATE") . Excessive terrain closure rate ("TERRAIN’, “PULL UP’). . Altitude loss after take-off (‘DON'T SINK"), : Unsafe terrain clearance (TOO LOW - TERRAIN’, “TOO LOW - GEAR’, “TOO LOW - FLAPS"), . Excessive deviation below the glideslope (‘GLIDESLOPE”) The basic GPWS does have limitations, though. Being based on readings from a radio altimeter, the system can gather data only from directly below the aircraft. Distant terrain features can not be recognised, Therefore if the nature of terrain changes abruptly, for instance if terrain elevation were to increase suddenly, basic. GPWS may not detect aircraft closure rate unti it is too late for the pilot to take evasive action. Anew GPWS system known as Enhanced GPWS (EGPWS) is able to overcome the limitations of basic GPWS by combining a digital terrain database with a Global Positioning Navigation System, Inertial Navigation System, or the like. Computers can then compare the aircraft's present position with the terrain database. With the EPGWS pilots receive early warnings of ground proximity hazards. TRAINING. Training is a very important factor in raising awareness of the dangers of CFIT. A constant reminder of where we are and the hazards surrounding us must remain high on the list of priorities. Private Pilots, like professional pilots, should be permanently aware of the importance of knowing where they are, where the track that they are following will lead them, and what hazards threaten them. How can we best help ourselves? Before setting out on any fight, pilots should: + Prepare thoroughly. + Assess the weather accurately, en-route, and at the destination and alternate aerodromes. 37, ‘Arora Technical Book Company hilpswuractechbooks.comKnow their minimum safe altitudes (MSA's) and adhere to them. Know and remain within their own limitations of qualifications and skill. ‘Allow for contingencies. Ensure that they have enough fuel for the sortie, including all contingency fuel Be prepared to divert if there is any doubt about their safely at the destination aerodrome. 9 able to land Not take risks. Use their judgement responsibly. CFIT accidents can be prevented. The key to prevention is situational awareness. KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AT ALL TIMES. 2. Aerat Tees Book Company pie acechbooks cam