Causes Controlled flight into terrain

reconstruction of final moments of korean air flight 801, crashed hill in guam in 1997

while there many reasons why plane might crash terrain, including bad weather , navigation equipment problems, pilot error common factor found in cfit accidents.

the common type of pilot error in cfit accidents failure of pilots know @ times position is, , how actual position relates altitude of surface of earth below , ahead, on course flying (a loss of situational awareness). fatigue can cause highly experienced professionals make significant errors, culminate in cfit accident.

cfit accidents involve collision terrain such hills or mountains during conditions of reduced visibility, while conducting approach landing @ destination airport. contributing factor can subtle navigation equipment malfunctions which, if not detected crew, may mislead them improperly guiding aircraft, despite other information received functioning equipment.