Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT)

Context

The tri-service inquiry ordered into the ill-fated chopper crash which killed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and others are complete with officials indicating the probable cause to be Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).

About 

• The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), defines CFIT as an unintentional collision with terrain (the ground, a mountain, a body of water, or an obstacle) while an aircraft is under positive control. 
• Most often, the pilot or crew is unaware of the looming disaster until it is too late.
  • An example could be of an aircraft doing low flying over a large expanse of water and striking it due to lack of depth perception. A similar strike could happen over snow
• CFIT most commonly occurs in the approach or landing phase of flight.
• Accidents, where the aircraft is out of control at the point of impact, are not known as CFIT. 
  • Rather, they are considered uncontrolled flights into terrain. 
  • Similarly, incidents resulting from deliberate acts, such as terrorism or suicide by the pilot, are also not considered to be CFIT

Source: TH