A Deeper Dive into General Aviation Loss of Control: Interviews with Pilots

In-flight loss of control (LOC-I) remains a leading cause of fatal general aviation (GA) accidents, yet limited research captures pilots’ personal experiences or their perspectives on LOC-I training. Our prior analyses of LOC-I accident reports and a pilot survey identified human factors, particularly skill- and decision-based errors, as primary contributors, alongside inadequate training and recovery preparation. To gain a deeper understanding of LOC-I causation and contributing factors, this study builds on the previous survey and accident data analyses by conducting semistructured interviews with nine pilots about their LOC-I experiences and the training in practice. The interviews revealed multiple contributing factors spanning pilot conditions, environmental influences, and systemic factors. Despite the small sample size, the findings are consistent with previous studies based on safety databases and expert stakeholder input, providing valuable contextual insight into LOC-I risk factors. The study also highlights training gaps not captured in accident reports, such as deficiencies in LOC-I recovery techniques. Based on these preliminary findings, the paper offers practical recommendations to inform the design of LOC-I prevention and recovery training. These findings may contribute to the development of more effective instructional practices and improved operating procedures for the GA pilot community.