CFIT Prevention
CFIT Prevention: How Pilots Can Avoid Controlled Flight Into Terrain Accidents Introduction: Why CFIT Prevention Matters Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) remains one of aviation’s most preventable yet deadly accident types. A CFIT occurs when a fully functioning aircraft, under control of the pilot, is unintentionally flown into terrain, water, or obstacles without the crew’s awareness. While technology such as TAWS (Terrain Awareness and Warning System) and GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) has reduced the frequency of CFIT, accidents still occur — often due to human factors, poor situational awareness, or inadequate flight preparation. This article dives deep into CFIT prevention , exploring proven techniques, pilot habits, and organizational strategies that can stop such accidents before they happen. Understanding the CFIT Threat Before we can prevent CFIT, it’s essential to understand how and why it happens. What Causes CFIT? Most CFIT events involve a chain of...