Causes of aircraft accidents - technical, human and environmental

In the order of frequency: 

# Human Errors in Aviation (e.g. mistakes by crew members)

• Pilots failing to properly set or use aircraft systems, such as navigation or communication equipment
• Flight crews not properly responding to emergency situations, such as engine failure or fire
• Pilots making errors during takeoff or landing, such as failing to maintain proper speed or altitude
• Pilots becoming fatigued or otherwise impaired, leading to poor performance or decision making
• Pilots or flight crews failing to properly communicate with air traffic control or other personnel

# Improper Aircraft Maintenance

a. Failure to properly inspect or maintain aircraft systems, such as engines, landing gear, or flight control surfaces. 

• Engine failure: If engines are not properly maintained, they can experience mechanical failures, such as broken parts or oil leaks, which can lead to a loss of power or complete engine failure in flight.
• Landing gear failure: If landing gear is not properly inspected or maintained, it can experience structural failures or problems with the wheels, brakes, or other components that can make it difficult or impossible to land safely.
• Flight control surface failure: If flight control surfaces, such as ailerons, elevators, or rudders, are not properly maintained, they can become damaged or worn, which can reduce their effectiveness or cause them to fail completely, making it difficult or impossible to control the aircraft.

b. Failure to identify and repair defects or wear and tear on aircraft components

c. Incorrect installation or repair of aircraft parts

1. Installing the wrong parts or using the wrong type of hardware
2. Failing to properly torque bolts or fasteners, which can cause parts to come loose in flight
3. Using expired or damaged parts
4. Failing to properly align or balance parts

• Improper alignment can cause parts to rub against each other, which can cause wear and tear, and in some cases, complete failure of the part.
• Improper balance can cause vibrations that can be felt by the crew, or even passengers, or cause high stress on the aircraft's structure which can lead to structural failure.
• Improper alignment and balance can cause the aircraft to use more fuel than it should, which can decrease the aircraft's range and performance.
• Improper alignment and balance can cause the aircraft to be less stable, which can make it more difficult to control.
1. Failing to properly test or check the parts after installation
2. Failing to properly document the installation or repair

d. Failure to properly document or report maintenance issues

e. Failure to follow manufacturer's recommended maintenance procedures

# Weather Conditions

# Instrument Flight Factors

# Aircraft Design Defects

# Air Traffic Controller Negligence

# Glide Slope Indicators

A Glide Slope Indicator is a navigation aid that provides visual guidance to pilots during an approach to landing. It is typically a part of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and it's a device that displays an aircraft's vertical deviation from the desired glide path to the runway. The glide slope indicator provides an electronic signal that corresponds to the aircraft's position relative to the ideal descent angle to the runway.

When the aircraft is on the correct glide path, the indicator will display a centered dot or needle, indicating that the aircraft is on the correct descent path. If the aircraft is above the glide path, the indicator will show a dot or needle above the centerline, and if the aircraft is below the glide path, the indicator will show a dot or needle below the centerline.

Failure of Glide Slope Indicator can cause problems for pilots during an approach to landing. If the indicator is not working properly, the pilot may not be able to properly gauge their altitude and descent rate, which can lead to a number of issues, such as:

• Over or under shooting the runway
• Landing too hard
• Landing too fast
• Colliding with obstacles