This report presents the results of a survey designed to identify pilot and organisational risk factors of having a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accident in Alaska. The population consisted of commercial (passenger and freight) Alaskan pilots who operated under Parts 135, 133, 125 and/or 121 Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). A 103-item questionnaire was developed covering the following domains: (1) organisational influences, (2) unsafe supervision, (3) preconditions for unsafe pilot acts, and (4) unsafe pilot acts. Pilots were pre-coded into one of two groups based on whether their current employer had experienced a CFIT accident within a five-year period (1992-1997). Response rates across both groups were 20% and although lower than desired, it was not unusual for surveys of this nature. Survey results revealed that having to fly in marginal weather conditions was a common experience for all respondents. However, pilots who worked for companies who had a CFIT accident rated their company's safety climate and practices significantly lower than pilots who worked for CFIT accident free companies. Based on the survey results and considering the findings of the Aviation Safety in Alaska report (National Transportation Safety Board, 1995) the following recommendations were developed to reduce the number of CFIT accidents in Alaska: (1) increase pilot awareness of CFIT safety-related issues, (2) improve company safety culture, (3) improve pilot training in the environment in which they commonly fly, (4) improve weather briefings, and (5) eliminate pressure to complete a flight. (A)
Abstract