Unstable Approaches: Exploring the Legal, Linguistic, and Sociocognitive Dimensions

Abstract

The Flight Safety Foundation (2017) states that the approach and landing phases of a flight are the most critical and statistically risky, accounting for approximately 65 percent of all accidents annually. Unstable approaches have been a longstanding hazard in aviation, and addressing this issue as well as reducing approach and landing accidents has been a top priority for aviation organizations. To achieve this goal, extensive research has been conducted on various aspects of the issue, including training, human factors, pilot experience, and compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), and informative materials developed by globally recognized organizations such as IATA and CANSO. Additionally, proactive measures such as Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) have been implemented by airlines to effectively manage the issue by capturing the relevant variables and trends. However, despite these significant efforts, unstable approaches continue to pose a persistent threat to aviation safety. Shockingly, 95-97% of these approaches do not result in a Go-around, contrary to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

This discrepancy highlights a significant gap between the vital level of research and procedures in place to address the real time operational problems faced by pilots and air traffic controllers, Underscoring the need for more effective remedial actions to prevent accidents and  incidents resulting from unstable approaches. This paper aims to propose some solutions at the operational level based on a data-driven approach, utilizing air accidents and incidents reports and existing documents. The propounded solutions take sociocognitive, psychosocial, linguistic, legal, regulatory and training aspects of the issue into account.