5 Ways To Be A Safer Pilot

By Colin Cutler

06/09/2015

When it comes to general aviation accidents, the same things keep happening. That's why the NTSB put together a list of 5 safety alerts for the most common types of fatal mistakes made by pilots. Here they are:

1) Watch your airspeed, especially at low altitude

Stall/spin accidents are notoriously deadly. Remember that you can stall at any airspeed. And when you increase your bank to 60 degrees, your stall speed is 41% higher.

2) Avoid VFR flight in low visibility

When the visibility goes down, your risk as a VFR pilot goes way up. According to the NTSB, two-thirds of all GA accidents that occur in reduced visibility are fatal. Most of the time, it's because of spatial disorientation or controlled flight into terrain.

3) When your plane makes unexpected noises, pay attention

The third most common event that leads to fatal GA accidents is a powerplant system or component failure. If you lose your engine (or an engine component), never stop flying the airplane.

4) Good maintenance can mean the difference between life and death

Mechanics are people too. And according to the NTSB, system and component failures are one of the most common causes for fatal GA accidents. Don't pressure mechanics to perform maintenance too quickly. And when you've had a critical part of your airplane worked on, have a second, qualified person inspect the maintenance before you take your plane to the skies.

5) Don't make risky decisions, and when in doubt, stay on the ground

It sounds like a no-brainer, but it's not always that simple. External pressures, get-there-itis, and a whole gamut of decision making errors can lead to an accident. In fact, the NTSB says that nearly every fatal GA accident has some type of poor risk management or aeronautical decision-making involved.

It all comes down to managing your risks and making good decisions. Do both, and you'll keep yourself in one piece.