CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 19
ASI Message
Controlled Flight into Terrain
By BrUCE lAnDSBErg
A night VFR training accident occurred
recently in southwestern Virginia.
The Cessna 172S with a student and
an experienced CFI on board had
departed Frederick, Maryland, on a
routine training flight to Winchester,
Virginia (KOKV), located at the edge
of higher terrain. The decision was made to go on to
Hot Springs, Virginia (KHSP), which is definitely in
the mountains. There was no contact with ATC, and
according to radar the Cessna impacted a mountain at
about 3,100 feet, roughly 300 feet below the ridge line.
The student survived but the instructor did not.
When training at night, VFR or IFR, we recommend
using IFR procedures to keep aircraft from whacking
the ground. The magic is in the numbers on the charts.
The Air Safety Institute's Terrain Avoidance Plan (TAP)
(airsafetyinstitute.org/TAP) suggests just a quick look
at a sectional or low altitude en route chart to determine
the minimum altitude until it's time to come down. The
VFR Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF) on sectionals
provides no separation, unlike the Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude
(MOCA) and Off Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude (OROCA) minimums on
IFR charts. Add at least 1,000 feet to the MEFs. The quadrant MEFs bordering
the accident site were 5,100, 3,600, 4,800, and 4,000. A VFR westbound altitude
of 6,500 feet would be just the ticket!
KHSP's field elevation is nearly 3,800 feet msl surrounded by mountains. The
instrument approach procedures show a minimum safe altitude-except when
on a published route-of 6,000 feet. Why did the CFI chose only 3,000 feet?
When flying in unfamiliar areas pay a lot of attention to the vertical. Horizontal
is important too, but altitude is everything. On-board terrain databases light up
the obstacles that humans can't see, but they are intended as a supplement, not
primary, to see and avoid the planet. GPS and moving maps help and direct to
anywhere is easy in the dark, but we still don't see well. Even in good VFR, a
hillside with only a few lights disappears into the darkness.
Without a terrain avoidance plan my bet is on the mountain. How about you?
Safe Flights...
Bruce Landsberg
Senior Safety Advisor, Air Safety Institute
Educating pilots on
improving their skills and
enhancing GA safety is
a core tenet of the AOPA
Air Safety Institute and
its educational programs.
Your contribution funds
these activities and
ensures we continue
to address the needs
of pilots everywhere.
Show your support with
a donation at www.
aopafoundation.org/
donate today.
http://www.aopa.org/airports/KFDK
http://www.aopa.org/airports/KOKV
http://www.aopa.org/airports/KHSP
http://www.aopafoundation.org/donate
http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/TAP
http://www.aopafoundation.org/donate
http://www.aopafoundation.org/donate
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Vol. 5, Issue 4
Deciding to Go Around
Safety Seminar: After the Crash: Surviving an Aircraft Accident
CFI Commentary: Touch & Goes
CFI Tips: Who is Flying this Airplane?
ASI Message: Controlled Flight into Terrain
Real Pilot Story: Icing Encounter
Safety Spotlight: First Things First
ASI Online: Learn and Earn Safety Challenge
Safety Quiz: Fly the Boardwalk Approach
CFI Tools: Help Your Students Learn
Chief's Corner: What's On Your Mind?
Pilot Safety Announcement: It's a Drag
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Vol. 5, Issue 4
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 2
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - Deciding to Go Around
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 4
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 5
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 6
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 7
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 8
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - Safety Seminar: After the Crash: Surviving an Aircraft Accident
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 10
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - CFI Commentary: Touch & Goes
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 12
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 13
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 14
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 15
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - CFI Tips: Who is Flying this Airplane?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 17
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 18
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - ASI Message: Controlled Flight into Terrain
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - Real Pilot Story: Icing Encounter
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 21
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 22
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 23
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - Safety Spotlight: First Things First
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 25
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 26
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - ASI Online: Learn and Earn Safety Challenge
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 28
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - Safety Quiz: Fly the Boardwalk Approach
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - CFI Tools: Help Your Students Learn
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - Chief's Corner: What's On Your Mind?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 32
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 33
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 34
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - 35
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 4 - Pilot Safety Announcement: It's a Drag
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