Instrument Rating – Airplane › VI. Instrument Approach Procedures › Task D. Circling Approach

IR.VI.D.R6

Risk management

Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

From the FAA library

Instrument Procedures Handbook p. 3-9
Chapter 3: Arrivals › Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT)
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) Inappropriate descent planning and execution during arrivals has been a contributing factor to many fatal aircraft accidents. Since the beginning of commercial jet operations, more than 9,000 people have died worldwide because of controlled ... into terrain (CFIT). CFIT is described as an event in which a normally functioning aircraft is inadvertently flown into the ground, water, or an obstacle. Of all CFIT accidents, 7.2 percent occurred during the descent phase of flight. The basic…
Instrument Procedures Handbook p. 7-13
Chapter 7: Helicopter Instrument Procedures › Copter GPS Approaches to an Airport or Heliport
significantly and can cause the helicopter to leave the missed approach protected airspace. This may result in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) or obstacles. If a helicopter has a VMINI greater than 70 knots, then it is not capable…
Aeronautical Information Manual p. 5-4-26
Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures › Section 4. Arrival Procedures › 5-4-5. Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) Charts
This design can enhance the safety of the operations and contribute toward reduction in the occurrence of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents. Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently emphasized that pilots could benefit from publication…
Instrument Procedures Handbook p. 4-15
Chapter 4: Approaches › Lack of Approach Control Terrain Advisories
Center or approach radar. Recent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations have identified several accidents that involved controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) by IFR rated and VFR pilots operating under visual flight conditions at night in remote areas. In many ... danger. Increased altitude awareness and better preflight planning would likely have prevented all of these accidents. How can pilots avoid becoming involved in a CFIT accident? CFIT accidents are best avoided through proper preflight planning. • Terrain familiarization is critical…
Helicopter Flying Handbook p. 13-15
Chapter 13: Effective Aeronautical Decision-Making › Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) Awareness
Radar data, which show about 4 minutes of the helicopter’s flight…