How Pilot Error Leads to Aviation Accidents

Modern aviation is safer than ever, but the consequences can be catastrophic when something goes wrong. Despite advancements in technology, navigation systems, and aircraft design, one factor remains a leading cause of aviation accidents: pilot error.

Pilots carry immense responsibility when flying a commercial jetliner, a private aircraft, or a cargo plane. A single misjudgment or moment of inattention can result in tragedy. But what exactly constitutes pilot error? And how does it lead to accidents in the air or on the runway?

If you’ve been injured in an aviation accident, it’s imperative to understand the role of pilot error in aviation accidents, the most common types of mistakes, and how investigations determine whether negligence was involved. Securing representation from an aviation attorney at Webster Vicknair Macleod is also in your best interest.

What Is Pilot Error?

Pilot error refers to any action or inaction by a pilot contributing to an accident or incident. This could be a mistake made during takeoff, an error in judgment during flight, or a failure to follow proper landing procedures.
Importantly, pilot error doesn’t always mean the pilot acted recklessly or intentionally caused harm. But it does mean their conduct fell below the standard expected of a reasonably competent aviator in similar circumstances.

Pilot error can involve:

• Misinterpreting instruments
• Ignoring weather warnings
• Flying too low or too fast
• Failing to communicate with air traffic control
• Incorrectly configuring aircraft systems
• Delaying critical decisions in emergencies

In many cases, pilot error isn’t the only cause of an aviation accident, but is often the primary or contributing factor.

How Common Are Pilot Errors?

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), pilot error accounts for 60–80 percent of aviation accidents. It is the most cited cause in general aviation (private planes) and commercial aviation incidents.

While commercial airline travel in the U.S. is statistically very safe, general aviation, such as charter planes and recreational aircraft, experiences far higher rates of crashes, and pilot error is a significant reason why.

Common Types of Pilot Error in Aviation Accidents

Poor Decision-Making

Pilots must constantly make decisions under pressure. Choosing whether to proceed with a landing during poor weather or deciding how to respond to an engine warning can mean the difference between a safe flight and a fatal crash.

Common decision-making errors include:

• Continuing VFR (Visual Flight Rules) into IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) weather
• Attempting to land with strong crosswinds
• Failing to divert to an alternate airport
• Ignoring fuel shortage indicators

These mistakes often arise from overconfidence, poor training, or external pressure to stay on schedule.

Failure to Follow Procedure

Aircraft operations involve checklists and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for a reason. Skipping steps or rushing through checks can result in missed mechanical issues or incorrect system settings.

Procedural errors can involve:

• Forgetting to extend the landing gear
• Incorrectly configuring flaps for takeoff or landing
• Improper pre-flight inspections
• Failing to activate anti-icing equipment

Even minor lapses can lead to critical system failures in flight.

Inadequate Communication

Clear and timely communication between pilots and air traffic control (ATC), co-pilots, and ground crews is vital. Miscommunication can lead to runway incursions, wrong-altitude flights, or missed warnings.

Examples include:

• Misunderstanding ATC clearance
• Failing to acknowledge instructions
• Language barriers or unclear terminology
• Communication breakdowns between the cockpit crew members

In multi-crew aircraft, cockpit resource management (CRM) plays a major role in ensuring safe operations.

Fatigue and Impairment

Fatigue dulls reaction time, impairs judgment, and increases the risk of error, especially during critical phases of flight like takeoff and landing. Commercial pilots must comply with strict rest requirements, but those rules don’t always apply to private or charter pilots.

In rare but serious cases, pilots may also be impaired by:

• Alcohol or drug use
• Prescription medication side effects
• Medical conditions such as heart issues or undiagnosed sleep apnea

Fatigue-related errors are often difficult to detect until after an accident has occurred.

Loss of Situational Awareness

Situational awareness means understanding where you are, what’s happening around you, and how your aircraft performs. Pilots who lose track of these elements may drift off course, descend too quickly, or misjudge altitude during approaches.

This can result in:

• Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT)
• Midair collisions
• Navigational errors
• Airspace violations

Maintaining situational awareness is a fundamental skill that becomes harder under stress, fatigue, or distraction.

Examples of Accidents Caused by Pilot Error

While some pilot errors occur in private or recreational aircraft, others have led to high-profile commercial airline disasters. Examples include:

• Asiana Airlines Flight 214 (2013): The Boeing 777 struck a seawall during landing in San Francisco. The NTSB found that the crew mismanaged the approach and failed to monitor airspeed, leading to a stall and crash.
• Colgan Air Flight 3407 (2009): A commuter plane crashed on approach to Buffalo, NY. The captain responded improperly to a stall warning, pulling back on the controls instead of pushing forward. Fatigue and poor training were contributing factors.
• John F. Kennedy Jr. Plane Crash (1999): JFK Jr. lost control of his private aircraft at night over the Atlantic. Investigators found that he likely became disoriented due to poor visibility and failed to rely on instruments.

Each case demonstrates how pilot error—whether from inexperience, stress, or oversight—can override even the best equipment and weather planning.

Can You Hold a Pilot or Airline Legally Responsible?

Yes. If a pilot’s negligence leads to an accident that injures or kills passengers, they or their employer may be held liable. Victims and their families can file personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits depending on the circumstances.

Liable parties may include:

• The pilot (or their estate)
• The airline or charter company
• The aircraft owner
• A flight school or aviation service provider

To succeed in a claim, you must prove:

• The pilot had a duty of care to fly safely
• They breached that duty through negligence or inaction
• The breach caused the accident
• You suffered damages as a result

How Are Pilot Errors Investigated?

After a crash or serious incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates the cause of the incident. Their analysis includes:

• Cockpit voice recorders (CVRs)
• Flight data recorders (FDRs)
• Air traffic control recordings
• Pilot qualifications and medical records
• Weather reports and radar data
• Witness and passenger interviews

The NTSB may identify pilot error as the “probable cause” or a contributing factor. Their findings can support a legal claim, but civil attorneys often conduct separate investigations to identify liability.

Pilot Error Is Preventable and Actionable

Flying will never be completely risk-free, but aviation professionals have a duty to reduce avoidable mistakes. Pilot error, whether due to inattention, poor judgment, or fatigue, can turn a routine flight into a fatal disaster.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an aviation accident, it’s essential to understand your rights. Our skilled aviation accident attorneys' thorough investigation and legal evaluation can determine whether pilot error was to blame and whether compensation may be available for medical costs, lost income, pain, or loss.

If you suspect pilot error played a role in a crash that harmed you or a loved one, contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation with our team at Webster Vicknair Macleod. We have the experience, resources, and dedication to pursue justice in even the most complex aviation cases.

References

Federal Aviation Administration. (2006). Human factors associated with approach and landing accidents (Report No. DOT/FAA/AM-06/18). U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/200618.pdf
American Bar Association. (n.d.). Negligence. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_issues_for_consumers/everydaylaw0/health_care/personal_injury/negligence/
National Transportation Safety Board. (n.d.). Home [Homepage]. https://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/home.aspx