Loss Of Control Still Major Factor In Fatal Accidents

Although the overall accident rate has decreased, the category of loss of control (LOC) continues to outpace other factors as the leading cause of fatal accidents in the last 20 years. A recent NASA sponsored study has defined LOC as “flight outside of the normal flight envelope, with nonlinear influences, and with an inability of the pilot to control the aircraft.” The FAA has published an InFO document highlighting the availability and merits of the Airplane Upset Recovery and Training Aid for all Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91K, 121, 125, and 135 air operators and part 142 training centers.

In 1998 an FAA/Industry work group co-chaired by Boeing, Airbus and the Flight Safety Foundation developed the Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid as training program guidance for upset recovery training for air carrier flightcrews. Although the work group was primarily focused on large aircraft, many of the same aerodynamic principles apply to smaller swept wing turbine aircraft.

The FAA strongly recommends incorporation of applicable sections of the Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid into training programs. The modular design of the aid allows training departments to utilize all of the segments that are applicable to specific training programs. Any LOC recommended recovery techniques and procedures provided by a manufacturer for a particular aircraft take precedence over those in the training aid.

The FAA recommends that directors of operations, directors of safety, chief pilots, training managers and training centers should consider incorporating material in this training aid into flightcrew training. When tailored to specific aircraft and operator procedures, the suggested actions presented in this aid provide an excellent framework for an effective upset recovery training module.

FMI: www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/training/media/AP_UpsetRecovery_Book.pdf