Toobuilder
Well Known Member
We?ve seen the recent safety related discussions lately, and while there is much disagreement over some methods of improving safety; there does seem to be some solid evidence that suggests many crashes are the result of a very short and all too common accident chain. Running out of fuel seems to top the list of commonality, and disturbingly, is one of THE most preventable accidents out there. VFR into IMC is another, and the list goes on. While the ?cause? of these accidents is a bit of a misnomer, because running out of fuel does not ?cause? a crash, I understand the logical sequence of events that leads to the actual, literal ?crash?. The same holds true for VFR into IMC ? the airplane normally does not self destruct as soon as the windscreen goes grey, but it is logical (and easy) to simply list these events as a ?cause? in an attempt to drive home the message to avoid the behavior.
With the above said, I don?t understand the ?cause? of another listed common accident event ? ?low passes/buzzing?. To me, this listing as a ?cause? is a bit like the age old admonishment that ?speed kills? on the highway ? sure, it?s easy to say and makes a point, but it is not really accurate. Technically, it?s impact with a solid object causing internal trauma that kills, not speed. So what is it about the aviation buzz job/ low pass that results in bent metal and death? Before you read any further, I will disclose that low passes down the runway are a very common practice at my (private) airport, and I perform them often myself. I?m not defending or advocating the practice ? simply admitting that like other forms of unnecessary activities such as formation flying or aerobatics, pilots derive enjoyment from it, so it will continue.
My reason for this thread is to focus on the real cause of the crash following a low pass so that perhaps training or at least SOME realistic thought will go into the decision making process before performing the maneuver. Because let?s face it, unlike running out of gas or inadvertent flight into IMC, low passes are fun. If it is ?fun?, pilots are going to do it ? regulations be damned. In my humble opinion, there?s only two ways to prevent this too common activity from populating the statistics. The first is to absolutely crack down on this behavior by turning each other over to the Feds for every infraction (and most of you know MY stance on that) or the second is we honestly analyze the lapses in piloting skill/judgment that cause the crashes, and ?fix? that. If we acknowledge that the activity will take place (not the same as endorsing it, mind you) we can at least make the activity safer.
So of all the accidents where the low pass is listed as a cause, does anyone have any real insight into the ?true? cause? For example, is it an accelerated stall, CFIT, midair, impact with a structure, dishing out of a roll? What?s the main cause(s)? Thoughts?
With the above said, I don?t understand the ?cause? of another listed common accident event ? ?low passes/buzzing?. To me, this listing as a ?cause? is a bit like the age old admonishment that ?speed kills? on the highway ? sure, it?s easy to say and makes a point, but it is not really accurate. Technically, it?s impact with a solid object causing internal trauma that kills, not speed. So what is it about the aviation buzz job/ low pass that results in bent metal and death? Before you read any further, I will disclose that low passes down the runway are a very common practice at my (private) airport, and I perform them often myself. I?m not defending or advocating the practice ? simply admitting that like other forms of unnecessary activities such as formation flying or aerobatics, pilots derive enjoyment from it, so it will continue.
My reason for this thread is to focus on the real cause of the crash following a low pass so that perhaps training or at least SOME realistic thought will go into the decision making process before performing the maneuver. Because let?s face it, unlike running out of gas or inadvertent flight into IMC, low passes are fun. If it is ?fun?, pilots are going to do it ? regulations be damned. In my humble opinion, there?s only two ways to prevent this too common activity from populating the statistics. The first is to absolutely crack down on this behavior by turning each other over to the Feds for every infraction (and most of you know MY stance on that) or the second is we honestly analyze the lapses in piloting skill/judgment that cause the crashes, and ?fix? that. If we acknowledge that the activity will take place (not the same as endorsing it, mind you) we can at least make the activity safer.
So of all the accidents where the low pass is listed as a cause, does anyone have any real insight into the ?true? cause? For example, is it an accelerated stall, CFIT, midair, impact with a structure, dishing out of a roll? What?s the main cause(s)? Thoughts?