The Perils of Skipping Pre-Flight Checks: A Lesson in Aviation Safety

 We all love flying, but we find the pre-flight boring.

Many aviation accidents have happened in the past because of improper flight planning.

Many a times we are just too lazy to grab a pen and paper and get the numbers right.

Having sufficient fuel for the duration of flight is one of the many things that you should ensure before putting in the throttle.

A flight instructor learned this the hard way. He ran out of fuel as he was training a student to practice landing on a new runway.

Looks like the flight instructor is himself in need of some fight lessons.

Although he caught the fuel gauges and found them indicating low, yet he just ignored them.

The aircraft that they were flying was Cessna 150 E. The flight instructor and the student took off near Harrah, Oklahoma, and had planned to make a fuel stop, yet, they were too lazy to make the effort to land the aircraft.

Well, the student pilot can be excused but the flight instructor cannot get away with any reason he gives.

I mean how can one forget to make a fuel stop landing.

Anyways, he will now have to answer multiple other questions from the insurance people.

This aviation accident report was published by National Transportation Safety Board and is shared for the purpose of educating students and flight instructors also in this case.

Just like to have some thoughts, as to whether insurance company will pay for such accident? Since this is a clear human error, so what is the take of insurance guys.

Plus here is a word of caution for flight schools as well to ensure that your aircrafts are covered for such happenings as well.

Here I ask the chatgpt - if such aircraft accident should be insured and what should be the terms of paying them?

Here is what it said -

Insuring aircraft accidents involves comprehensive policies that cover various risks associated with aviation. Here's an overview of how such insurance works and the terms involved in paying claims:

Types of Aircraft Insurance

1. Hull Insurance: Covers physical damage to the aircraft.

   • Ground Risks Hull Insurance: Covers damages while the aircraft is on the ground.
   • In-Flight Hull Insurance: Covers damages while the aircraft is in motion.

2. Liability Insurance: Covers legal liabilities to third parties, including passengers, baggage, and cargo.

   • Passenger Liability Insurance: Covers injuries or deaths of passengers.
   • Public Liability Insurance: Covers damages caused to third parties on the ground.

3. Crew Insurance: Covers injuries or deaths of crew members.

4. Cargo Insurance: Covers loss or damage to cargo being transported.

Terms of Paying Claims

1. Coverage Limits: Policies typically have maximum payout limits. These limits are predefined and can be influenced by the type of aircraft, its value, and operational risks.

2. Deductibles: The amount the insured must pay out of pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in. Higher deductibles usually result in lower premiums.

3. Exclusions: Specific circumstances or events not covered by the policy (e.g., acts of war, terrorism, or illegal activities).

4. Premiums: Regular payments made to maintain the insurance coverage. Premium amounts depend on various factors including the aircraft's value, usage, pilot experience, and safety record.

5. Claims Process:

   • Notification: The insured must promptly notify the insurer of any incident that may lead to a claim.
   • Investigation: The insurer will investigate the claim to determine its validity and the extent of coverage.
   • Documentation: The insured must provide necessary documentation, such as accident reports, maintenance records, and repair estimates.
   • Settlement: If the claim is valid, the insurer will settle the claim according to the policy terms. This could be through direct payments for repairs, replacements, or liability settlements.

6. Subrogation: After paying a claim, the insurer may pursue third parties who may be responsible for the damage to recover costs.

7. Reinstatement: After a claim, the insurer might require an inspection of the aircraft before reinstating full coverage, especially if significant repairs are needed.

Key Considerations

• Policy Tailoring: Policies should be tailored to the specific needs of the aircraft operator, considering factors such as the type of operations (commercial, private, cargo), geographical area of operations, and the experience of the crew.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that the insurance policy meets all regulatory requirements of the jurisdictions where the aircraft operates.
• Risk Management: Implement safety and risk management practices to minimize the likelihood of accidents, which can also help reduce insurance premiums.