CFIT
CFIT (Controlled Flight Into Terrain) is an extremely dangerous aviation phenomenon, and incidents of this kind often result in human casualties. Today we will discuss how a perfectly functioning aircraft can still crash.
Controlled Flight Into Terrain
Reading time: ~5-6 minutes
What is CFIT? Controlled Flight Into Terrain is a term used to describe aviation incidents where a fully functioning aircraft, being operated by the crew, collides with the ground or water surface.
This is different from collisions with other aircraft, and from collisions with the ground due to aircraft malfunctions, which are called Uncontrolled Flight Into Terrain.
Today we will examine why controlled flight into terrain is one of the most studied topics in aviation research.
This is different from collisions with other aircraft, and from collisions with the ground due to aircraft malfunctions, which are called Uncontrolled Flight Into Terrain.
Today we will examine why controlled flight into terrain is one of the most studied topics in aviation research.
We'll discuss
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Definiton of CFIT
Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) occurs when an airworthy aircraft under the complete control of the pilot is inadvertently flown into terrain, water, or an obstacle. The pilots are generally unaware of the danger until it is too late.
Most CFIT accidents occur in the approach and landing phase of flight and are often associated with non-precision approaches.
Many CFIT accidents occur because of loss of situational awareness, particularly in the vertical plane, and many crash sites are on the centreline of an approach to an airfield. Lack of familiarity with the approach or misreading of the approach plate are common causal factors, particularly where the approach features steps down in altitude from the initial approach fix to the final approach fix.
Many CFIT accidents occur because of loss of situational awareness, particularly in the vertical plane, and many crash sites are on the centreline of an approach to an airfield. Lack of familiarity with the approach or misreading of the approach plate are common causal factors, particularly where the approach features steps down in altitude from the initial approach fix to the final approach fix.
Defences
Like any accident, CFIT is a complex event that cannot be completely eliminated from aviation. However, there are principles by which modern airlines minimize the likelihood of CFIT.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Standard procedures ensure that the crew performs all necessary actions, including monitoring the aircraft's position on all channels.
Terrain Avoidance Warning Systems (TAWS)
TAWS is an integral part of flight safety, especially in mountainous areas. Currently, this system is installed in some form on all modern aircraft. It gives the crew commands in case of dangerous proximity to the ground.
Situational awareness in relation to terrain
The crew must be familiar with the flight area, especially the features of the airports along the route - then they will be prepared for unforeseen circumstances and competently identify dangerous moments.
High professionalism of the crew is the "backup instrument" that can save the situation even when traditional protections were not used or did not work. Therefore, it is very important for every pilot to maintain their level of knowledge.
Typical Scenarios
Pilot-induced situation
The pilot encountered weather conditions that were worse than forecast and, in an attempt to maintain or regain visual contact with the ground in an area of very low cloud, descended below Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) and the aircraft struck the ground. Contributing to this accident was the pilot's over-reliance on GPS while attempting to maintain Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) and a resultant lack of adequate situational awareness of terrain.
ATCO-induced situation
The controller gave an aircraft which was still at 210 KIAS an intermediate heading towards the ILS centreline during a radar vectored initial approach but was subsequently distracted and failed to issue the intercept heading for the ILS LLZ. When the flight crew, who were unfamiliar with the approach, failed to notice the situation in time to query it, the aircraft flew beyond the centreline and into high terrain on the other side before resolution was possible.
Contributory Factors
1
Weather
Rain, turbulence, and icing, may increase the workload of the pilot and cause interference reducing the accuracy of radio navigation beacons. Poor visibility, particularly at night can contribute to disorientation and loss of situational awareness.
2
Approach Design and documentation
The depiction of an approach, and particularly step down fixes, on Terminal Approach Procedure (TAP) plates may not be clear. Approaches may take aircraft close to high terrain in order to comply with diplomatic or noise abatement constraints, or to deconflict with departure routes.
3
Failure to use Standard Phraseology
Might lead to confusion and misunderstanding.
4
Pilot fatigue and disorientation
Approach and landing is a demanding phase of flight for pilots
Study of CFIT accidents has enabled a large number of accident precursors to be identified. These precursors are not necessarily contributing factors, though some may be; but they are warnings revealing that a weakness has been detected in existing defence mechanisms. The identification of an accident precursor usually necessitates action to strengthen these defences.
The article CFIT Precursors and Defences lists those CFIT precursors which have so far been identified, together with suggested lines of defence.
The article CFIT Precursors and Defences lists those CFIT precursors which have so far been identified, together with suggested lines of defence.
Summary
CFIT is a dangerous phenomenon, and understanding its essence is critically important for both pilots and ATCs to be prepared for it.
Such accidents occur even more often than uncontrolled collisions with the ground because during normal operation of all systems, the aircraft crew can allow themselves to relax, reduce situational awareness, and thereby miss important signals that a problem is approaching.
Work must be done not only by pilots and ATCs but also by airlines. At their level, appropriate documents should be adopted, SOPs updated, training and simulators appointed to practice necessary situations in flight and on the ground. It is important to integrate pilot training on dangerous flight areas into their daily work activities.
Due to the nature of this incident, the development of aircraft systems does little to reduce CFIT cases. The main mechanism for avoiding it is high professionalism and situational awareness of aviation personnel. So we recommend that everyone not lose vigilance, especially during the final stages of the flight :)
Such accidents occur even more often than uncontrolled collisions with the ground because during normal operation of all systems, the aircraft crew can allow themselves to relax, reduce situational awareness, and thereby miss important signals that a problem is approaching.
Work must be done not only by pilots and ATCs but also by airlines. At their level, appropriate documents should be adopted, SOPs updated, training and simulators appointed to practice necessary situations in flight and on the ground. It is important to integrate pilot training on dangerous flight areas into their daily work activities.
Due to the nature of this incident, the development of aircraft systems does little to reduce CFIT cases. The main mechanism for avoiding it is high professionalism and situational awareness of aviation personnel. So we recommend that everyone not lose vigilance, especially during the final stages of the flight :)
Name of article: CFIT
Release date: 8/03/2023
Acrticle author: Nikita Pavlov
Release date: 8/03/2023
Acrticle author: Nikita Pavlov
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