Customer Reviews

Controlling Pilot Error: Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT/CFTT)

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I am not much of a fan of the "Controlling Pilot Error" series, as I think they are frequently too generalized, and in some cases technically inaccurate. Having said that, Daryl Smith has written one of the better volumes in the series with this book on CFIT.

Smith discusses many scenarios of CFIT (Controlled Flight Into Terrain) and includes many real-world examples with generally disastrous endings. Most of these accidents boil down to low Situational Awareness (SA) or complacency, but a wide enough cross-section is examined to keep the reader interested.

One critique (a problem in the other volumes as well) is there are numerous grammatical, spelling, and especially subject-verb agreement/tense errors in the book. I am seriously wondering who proofread these volumes. Some of them are fairly innocuous (such as calling an L-1011 an L10-11 starting on page 26), but many are truly glaring.

Smith covers the United 173 (UA 173, Portland) and Eastern 401 (EA 401, Everglades) accidents in particular detail, and for good reason. Not only are they vivid examples, but they both ultimately became the parents of Crew Resource Management (CRM) years later. I have no real complaints with the UA 173 accident coverage, but the EA 401 accident coverage does contain some technical errors (I have a type rating on the L-1011, and although most of the details are insignificant, a few are truly misleading) that I noticed, particularly in relation to Autopilot mode (Command vs. Control Wheel Steering [CWS]), as well as a few other systems inaccuracies.

Smith does tackle the interesting results of the Milgram Obedience Study (page 116) including the concept of "Destructive Obedience" that can truly be a killer in the cockpit. Although I was familiar with the study, this was the first widely distributed aviation book I have seen it discussed in.

Smith presents a good overview of the American 965 accident in Cali, Columbia, but here (and elsewhere in the book) he makes several generalized and incorrect statements regarding Flight Management Systems (FMS), and doesn't really correctly explore spoiler retraction during a go-around (GA); note that spoilers are automatically retracted in GA mode on the L-1011 and some Airbus aircraft, though not on the B-757.

I personally do not revere Chuck Yeager, but Smith discusses Yeager's dedication to knowing his aircraft thoroughly, and I think that is a model that all pilots should follow. I salute Smith (and Yeager) for making this point so eloquently in the book.

Starting with the premise than most CFIT accidents begin with loss of SA (normally related to terrain proximity), Smith undertakes an excellent introduction to the different types of altitudes pilots must be aware of (MEA, MCA, MVA, MOCA, MORA, MSA, etc.) starting on page 210. This is an excellent review for all pilots, and should be studied repeatedly by new instrument-rated pilots, especially. On the down side, Smith makes an erroneous statement concerning Backcourse Localizer approaches in most HSI equipped aircraft on page 242. This goes back to Yeager's doctrine of knowing your aircraft: different information is presented in many ways in different aircraft; know how yours works before you go fly (especially in IMC).

Overall, I was pleased with this book; it has many good lessons, and despite a few obtuse technical deficiencies, the points it makes are all on target. For that reason I recommend it to pilots of all experience levels, especially new instrument pilots.

This book has enlightened me about CFIT and CFTT under the following titles;

1 Introduction to CFIT
2 Weather
3 VFR to IFR
4 Situational Awareness and Complacency
5 Crew Resource Management
6 Automation
7 Equipment Problems
8 Controller Error
9 Problems with Instrument Procedures
10 Planning and Time
11 Fatigue and Other Factors
12 Finale.

What I admire about the writers, their effort for scientific approach in aviation issues. The book mainly deals with CFIT and how to refrain from CFIT and CFTT. It enables us to learn from case studies like Flight 173 into Portland(crashed due to fuel starvation) and Eastern Flight 401 over the Everglades, DC-10 over Antartica. Moreover, every title in the book has a reference at the end, for further study.

The Finale chapter tries to build a framework in a pilot's mind: How we can form a proper attitude and comprehend the unprofessional behaviour and the habit patterns which would turn out a disaster. If you are interested in Aviation Safety, this book must be placed in your library.

I also like this quotation and I am sure I would use it throughout my aviation career;

"The Superior pilot is one who uses superior judgment to avoid situations requiring the use of superior skills."

To the most senior airline captain,and the "Top Gun" pilots in the military,to the first time Solo pilot, this book would make all take that second Look at being a Safe Pilot. "Live to Learn and Learn to Live"