Pilot error: Anatomies of aircraft accidents

by Flying Magazine

Book Overview

Flying Magazine had a bi-monthly feature called "Pilot Error" which was pretty much as described - an accident, retold and examined for lessons. This book has 25 of these, with more than enough... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0442224516
• ISBN13: 9780442224516
• Release Date: January 1977
• Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.2" x 0.8" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A Very Good Choice of Examples

Flying Magazine had a bi-monthly feature called "Pilot Error" which was pretty much as described - an accident, retold and examined for lessons. This book has 25 of these, with more than enough stomach-churning for the rookie pilot. Basically the book pushes the fundamental rules of flying - when in doubt, choose the safer course, use common sense and don't over-react, and push your communication skills - they can save your neck! I came away with three further ideas about safe flying. Too many accidents involve lack of visibility. Inclement weather, darkness, or lack of landmarks - flying over water, for example - are involved in the majority of these cases. Airplane travel in certain respects is not that different from automobiles. Accidents go up in bad weather, driving in heavy rain and winter conditions in particular, and especially at night. Most pilots are at their best when they respect their instruments AND their eyes and ears - ears DO matter. Giving up one - or the other - is putting yourself in harm's way. The other sad feature of these records was the terrible mistakes made by the flight controllers. Pilots have to recognize flight controllers come in all colors of quality and competence. Some are great, most are good, but none of them are mind-readers, and not all are pilots themselves. Nothing is easier to mess up than human communications. Blunt questions and simple no-nonsense answers are an imperative. Over half these examples have examples of truly horrific misunderstanings. My own experience suggests that all pilots need to take the lessons from these stories to heart.