Loss of Control and Instrument Proficiency: A Case Study of a GA Pilota€?s Loss of Control While Operating in Instrument Meteorological Conditions

摘要

General Aviation (GA) safety is influenced and affected by choices pilots make with respect to their instrument proficiency and currency. Quantitative research on the instrument proficiency issues indicates a correlation between recent instrument experience and pilot skill. However, there is very little qualitative research on the subject. Qualitative research contributes to understanding the underlying issues and themes that contribute to loss of control accidents while operating in instrument meteorological conditions. This qualitative case study explores factors involving pilot instrument proficiency in a general aviation loss of control accident. These factors include pilot logbook irregularities, checklist usage, aircraft systems knowledge, pilot training, and pilot proficiency.