A-70-063
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE BOARD'S REVIEW OF THESE AND OTHER APPROACH AND LANDING ACCIDENTS SHOW THAT THEY OCCUR WITH NEEDLESS REGULARITY AND THAT THEY ARE NOT CONFINED TO A SINGLE SEGMENT OF AVIATION. IT WAS EMPHASIZED THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF FACTORS WHICH MUST BE CONSIDERED IN PREVENTING THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT, NAMELY, AIRBORNE AND GROUND EQUIPMENT, PROCEDURES AND PILOTING TECHNIQUES AND JUDGEMENT. SAFETY SHOULD BE IN CONTINUALLY IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND INCREASING THE QUANTITY OF LANDING AIDS AND WEATHER REPORTING FACILITIES AND SERVICES. IT WAS FURTHER EMPHASIZED THAT ALL PILOTS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY INSTRUCTED IN THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH SHALLOW FOG PENETRATION AND BE PREPARED TO MAKE THE MISSED APPROACH DECISION AND EXECUTE IT WITHOUT DELAY WHENEVER THE ALTERNATIVE COURSE IS REQUIRED. ILLUSIONS TENDING TO DISORIENTATE THE PILOT DURING THE FINAL PHASES OF THE APPROACH AND THE LIMITATIONS OF VARIOUS SYSTEMS ARE BUT TWO OF THE AREAS BEARING UPON SUCH A DECISION WHICH MUST BE RECOGNIZED.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The National Pilots Association is urged to ensure that pilots receive thorough training on the risks of flying in shallow fog and how to recognize visual disorientation during final approach. This instruction should emphasize making and executing a missed approach decision quickly when conditions require it, rather than attempting to continue landing. The goal is to reduce frequent accidents caused by poor judgment, equipment limitations, and environmental hazards that affect all types of aviation.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Mar 22, 1971 |
| NTSB number | 80499 |
| Addressees | National Pilots Association |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).