Defining Behavioral Traps
Similar to the hazardous attitudes
are behavioral traps as described in the FAA’s (2009) Risk Management Handbook.
Behavioral traps are operational pitfalls aviators may encounter as a result of
poor decision making.
Overview of Behavioral Traps
Similar to the hazardous attitudes are behavioral traps as described in the FAA’s (2009) Risk Management Handbook. Behavioral traps are operational pitfalls aviators may encounter as a result of poor decision making.
Overview of Behavioral Traps
Behavioral Trap Definition
Peer Pressure Poor decision-making may be based upon an emotional response to
peers, rather than evaluating a situation objectively.
Mind Set A pilot displays Mind Set through an inability to recognize and cope
with changes in a given situation.
Get-There-Itis This disposition impairs pilot judgment through a fixation on the
original goal or destination, combined with a disregard for any
alternative course of action.
Duck-Under A pilot may be tempted to make it into an airport by descending
Syndrome below minimums during an approach. A pilot may believe that there
is a built-in margin of error in every approach procedure, or a pilot
may not want to admit that the landing cannot be completed and a
missed approach must be initiated.
Scud Running This occurs when a pilot tries to maintain visual contact with the
terrain at low altitudes while instrument conditions exist.
Continuing Visual Spatial disorientation or collision with
ground/obstacles may occur.
Flight Rules (VFR) when a pilot continues VFR into instrument conditions. This can be
into Instrument even more dangerous if the pilot is not instrument rated or current.
Conditions
Getting Behind the Aircraft This pitfall can be caused by allowing events or the situation to
Aircraft control pilot actions. A constant state of surprise at what
happens next may be exhibited when the pilot is getting behind the aircraft.
Loss of Positional
/ Situational Awareness In extreme cases, when a pilot gets behind the aircraft, a loss of
Situational positional or situational awareness may result. The pilot may not
Awareness know the aircraft’s geographical location or may be unable to
recognize deteriorating circumstances.
Operating Without Ignoring minimum fuel reserve requirements is generally the result
Adequate Fuel Reserves of overconfidence, lack of flight planning, or disregarding applicable
Adequate Fuel regulations.
Reserves
Descent Below the Minimum
En Route Altitude The Duck-Under Syndrome, as mentioned above, can also occur
Minimum En during the en route portion of an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
Route Altitude flight.
Flying Outside the Envelope The assumed high-performance capability of a particular aircraft
Envelope may cause a mistaken belief that it can meet the demands imposed
by a pilot’s overestimated flying skills.
Neglect of Flight
Planning, Preflight A pilot may rely on short- and long-term memory, regular flying skills,
Inspections, and familiar routes instead of established procedures and
and
published checklists. This can be particularly true of experienced pilots.
Note. As defined by the FAA (2008, p. 9-12)
REFERENCES:
[1] FAA. (2008). Aviation instructor’s handbook. Washington, D.C.:
Government Printing Office.
[2] Velázquez, Jonathan, "Behavioral Traps in
Flight Crew-Related 14 CFR Part 121 Airline Accidents" (2016).
Dissertations and Theses. 193. https://commons.erau.edu/edt/193
Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University, Scholarly Commons Citation
