Preflight check is not something to be overlooked
May 18, 2011, 02:15 pm
Complacency can often cloud safety precautions, which could lead to dangerous oversights on an aircraft, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Over the last decade, poor preflight inspections caused or contributed to 156 general aviation accidents and resulted in 41 fatalities, according to National Transportation Safety Board statistics.
"Not everything you need to look for is spelled out nicely on a checklist," said Steve Keesey, FAA airworthiness safety inspector. "A good pilot knows there are several items ‘between the lines’ that are equally important during a preflight."
It is important for new pilots to understand why they are checking certain levers, and pulling and jiggling others, according to the FAA. Just going through the motions will not educate a person to the inner workings of the aircraft or the importance of each component. If one small element is overlooked the damage could be irreparable, especially if the person does not have pilot insurance.
Proper tire inspection is a crucial component to the preflight check, the FAA reports. Tires experience dramatic temperature changes and powerful friction forces. If a pilot does not know how to recognize when the rubber is too worn down to allow for a successful landing, the results could be tragic.
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