Overview
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) occurs when an airworthy aircraft is flown, under the control of a qualified pilot, into terrain (water or obstacles) with inadequate awareness on the part of the pilot of the impending collision. Controlled flight into terrain, normally occurs at speed with the result that many such accidents are fatal. A common thread throughout this AC is the importance of proper planning, good decisionmaking, and being able to safely operate the aircraft throughout is entire operating range. Since CFIT implies that the aircraft is operating properly, the main reason for such accidents is what is commonly called pilot error. Therefore, it is the pilot's responsibility to ensure that he or she is qualified for the flight, that the aircraft is properly equipped for the flight, and that the flight is flown according to the appropriate regulations and aircraft operating limitations.