Flight Skill Proficiency Issues in Instrument Approach Accidents

Abstract

Despite procedural modifications and advanced technology instrumentation, instrument approach phase accidents continue to be an issue in general aviation. This exploratory study details an analysis of instrument approach phase accidents that occurred between 2002 and 2012. Particular attention was focused on instrument proficiency check (IPC) currency for pilots involved in accidents during the approach phase of flight. An analysis suggests that more than half of instrument approach accidents evaluated during this study happened within three and half months of the last IPC. A leading cause of these accidents was failure to control the aircraft. Instrument training issues and potential follow-on studies are addressed. On September 8, 2010, at approximately 0926 EDT, an aircraft on an instrument approach to Helena, Georgia, crashed, killing the instrument-rated pilot and seriously injuring his passenger. Radar data indicated that after the aircraft was established on a GPS final approach course, the pilot did not appear to level off at the minimum descent altitude (MDA) and subsequently impacted the ground 2.74 miles short of the runway. Weather in the area at the time was reported as foggy with low ceilings and visibility. During the ten-year period ending in August 2012, this was just one of 170 instrument flight rules (IFR) approach-related accidents, highlighting the need for further investigation into trends and causal factors (ASI, 2012).