CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN: TERRAIN COLLISION
This happens mostly in flight where the pilot does NOT become disoriented. The pilot is simply unaware of the looming terrain in his or her flight path.
Normally the aircraft is proceeding normally and there is no cause for alarm, other than the fact that the aircraft path is directly aimed at an object. These accidents can occur when in either visual or in IMC conditions.
SOLUTION:
In today’s advanced GPS world, there is no reason to ever be the victim of terrain collision due to not knowing that there was terrain ahead. Numerous companies such as ForeFlight make products for the iPad and phones that clearly show terrain in both two dimensional and three dimensions.
Numerous companies make highly accurate synthetic vision for the portable devices making surprise encounters totally rare and becoming obsolete. The total cost of such a system is very affordable and other products such as flight planning, fuel planning, and weather information make the technology invaluable to fly with.
Try to get with your local CFI or best safety pilot and simulate navigating around towers or terrain using the electronics for reference as if it was either night or reduced visibility conditions.
SAMPLE ACCIDENT REPORT: #1
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon during wind conditions conducive to turbulence and downdrafts, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control while maneuvering in the canyon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited canyon flying experience. NTSB Accident Number: WPR17FA213.
SAMPLE ACCIDENT REPORT: #2
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain after takeoff during dark night conditions. NTSB Accident Number: CEN17FA227.