Why Did the Aircraft Crash?

NOTE: This is a shortened version of an article posted at Bailey & Partners blog. Read the detailed article here.

Here is a quick and easy checklist that will help lead you to the answer.

Just use “P-E-M-A” for your initial checklist to put you on track for

the answer.

P - Pilot Issues

What type of Pilot Certificate did the pilot have?

• Student Pilot?
• Private Pilot?
• Commercial Pilot?
• Instruments Rated Pilot?
• Multi-Engine Rated?
• Certificated Flight Instructor?

What was the Pilot’s total flight time?? Time in Type of aircraft?

What additional qualifications did the pilot have, such as:

• “High Performance” check out in an aircraft with more than 200?horsepower?
• “Complex Aircraft” check out in an aircraft with retractable landing gear, flaps and constant speed propeller?
• “Current Biennial Flight Review”?

When was the Pilot’s last flight before the crash flight and in what type of aircraft?

Was a Pre-flight Inspection by the Pilot observed?

Was fuel added prior to departure?? If so, confirm Fuel Source. Examine all aspects of fuel provider, contamination prevention and testing.??

Was aircraft equipped with Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)?? If so, seek retrieval of CVR recording.

E - Environmental Issues

Weather is often an issue. ?What was the existing weather at the time of departure?

• Cloud Conditions?
• Visibility?
• Wind direction and velocity?

What was the forecast weather at destination?

What was the Actual weather enroute?

What was the Actual weather at the crash location?

M - Maintenance Issues

Some potential key issues:

• Aircraft Annual Inspection Current?
• 100 Hour inspections current if required?
• Any recent airframe or engine maintenance?
• Any recent equipment installed?
• Any FAA Form 337 made for major repairs or alterations to aircraft, airframe, powerplant, appliance or component part?

A - Air Traffic Control (ATC) Issues

• Did ATC provide appropriate clearances and radar vectors?
• Did ATC provide appropriate weather or traffic updates?
• Did ATC provide enroute or arrival updates or options?

Capture all communications with ATC and any pre-flight ground communications with company dispatch if available.

If you have any other questions regarding - Why did the aircraft crash? -?feel free to contact Bailey & Partners with any questions.

• Call: (310) 392-5000 or 800-973-2263
• Email:?[email protected]?or
• Fill out the form on this page

NOTE: This is a shortened version of an article posted at Bailey & Partners blog. Read the detailed article here.

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