A Pilot's Accident Review

Book excerpt: "We sometimes learn best by reviewing the mistakes of others; experience is an unforgiving teacher. To this end, author John Lowery carefully selected high-profile, infamous aircraft accidents in the most statistically vulnerable areas to analyze and explain why they occurred from a prevention viewpoint to help pilots with decision making. This book is organized to discuss accidents that occurred during various phases of flight, many of which resulted in changes to regulations affecting all aviators. In addition, analysis is provided for accidents involving preflight planning, maintenance, IFR considerations, human factors, seaplanes and ski planes, and hazardous environments. For the pilot flying in reduced visibility due to smoke or haze - especially at night - you'll see how instrument flying proficiency can be a life-saving skill. The Concorde crash on takeoff provides a classic example of the importance of the flight crew support team and identifying all the links in a potential accident chain. Wiley Post, John Denver, and many others suffered avoidable fates--not necessarily attributable to risky behavior, as is often the assumption with accidents deemed the fault of "human error." Someone once said that "life is a group effort." And the teamwork required to make aviation safe is the embodiment of that saying. In that regard, the information in this book is designed to help you enjoy a long and safe span as pilot-in-command of airplanes"--Provided by publisher.