Aeronautical Decision Making: Breaking the Mental Error Chain

Aviation accident records consistently demonstrate that airborne incidents are rarely caused by a single mechanical catastrophe. Instead, they stem from an accumulation of small, overlooked lapses commonly termed the error chain.

From pressing ahead into deteriorating VFR conditions (“get-there-itis”) to rushing pre-flight calculations under time constraints, poor decision-making compromises safety. Incorporating structured checklists such as the PAVE and IMSAFE models empowers aviators to break the chain before leaving the ground.