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[The study of fatal flight illusion in pilots]
Xianrong Xu1, Yang Zhang, Ting Zhao
1Department of Otolaryngology, Center of Clinic Aviation Medicine, PLA, General Hospital of Air Force, Beijing, 100036, China. xuxianrongkz@sina.com
Objective:
To standardize conception, diagnosis methods and identification principles of fatal flight illusion in pilots.
Method:
Data of fatal flight illusion in 25 pilots were summed up.
Result:
(1) There were higher appearance ratios of inclination illusion, vestibular-proprioceptive illusion, type II spatial disorientation, and physiological-psychological illusion in fatal flight illusion of pilots. (2) Class A aircraft accidents happened in three pilots. Thirteen pilots were permanently grounded. Nine pilots were permitted to return their flying stations.
Conclusion:
The fatal flight illusion is an important cause leading to permanent grounding and endangered flying safety. This study may be referred in the succedent study on dealing with fatal flight illusion in pilots.
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