CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 2 - 3

FROM THE EDITOR
NIGHT FLYING AND BLACK HOLE DEPARTURES
SPATIAL DISORIENTATION CAN KILL MACHTELD SMITH
Flying at night can be peaceful and beautiful. But on
moonless or overcast nights, the darkness that shrouds
our airplane can rob us of our ability to determine
the airplane's orientation, resulting in a difficult and
challenging flight. For example, more than one-quarter
of fatal night flying accidents occurred because of spatial
disorientation, a powerful, incapacitating physical
condition that can bring about loss of control in flight-
the leading cause of all night flying accidents.
According to the recently released AOPA Air Safety
Institute's Night Flying Accident Analysis Report
2017 - 2021, spatial disorientation was a consistent
theme in night accidents. The report suggests that CFIs
can help student and certificated pilots understand
conditions that cause disorientation and provide training
on recognition and prevention to reduce accidents.
The report also recommends training focused on night
operations, risks, and mitigations with an emphasis
on proficiency instead of currency. In addition, the
report suggests that dedicated focus should be given
to en route, climb, and approach phases and that pilots
should be reminded to assess their arrival and departure
environment, light levels, and approach/departure paths
for the potential of encountering spatial disorientation.
April 5, 2023. The NTSB's preliminary report offered
ASI a chance to take a look at what are called 'black hole'
departures. According to the report, the airplane took
off over dark water with no discernable horizon, then
began a shallow climb and a right turn. It seems possible
that this is a classic spatial disorientation accident due
to Somatogravic Illusion triggered by accelerating in
situations without good visual references.
Please review and share the Night Flying Accident
Analysis Report and the Early Analysis video with your
students and clients.
Click on the multimedia icon to play the video.
For example, in Early Analysis: Black Hole Departure-
Venice, Florida, the AOPA Air Safety Institute reviewed
what is known about a fatal accident that took place on
Machteld Smith is a senior editor for the AOPA Air
Safety Institute. She holds a commercial pilot certificate
with multiengine, instrument, and seaplane ratings. She
loves flying seaplanes and the adventure of landing on
rivers and lakes!
Email: machteld.smith@aopa.org

https://aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute/accident-analysis/night-flying-accident-report/ https://aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute/accident-analysis/night-flying-accident-report/ https://aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute/accident-analysis/night-flying-accident-report/ https://aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute/accident-analysis/night-flying-accident-report/

CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 2

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 2