AOPA’S AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE RELEASES NEW ACCIDENT CASE STUDY

The latest video, Real Pilot Story: Trapped in the Hills, presents a compelling portrait of a father’s heartbreaking loss and the profound lessons pilots can draw from the devastating events.

This poignant narrative follows Arturo Guerra, Sr., and his son, Art, Jr., as they return from a weekend adventure to Burnet, Texas, to their home in Monterrey, Mexico. Through gripping narration and a firsthand account, you’ll be drawn into the heart of the Guerra family's journey and witness the fateful events that unfolded on that chilly November day.

“In this real pilot story, a father explains how a routine flight with his son turned fatal. The pilots' familiarity with the terrain gave them an illusion of security, and they succumbed to the allure of complacency,” said AOPA Air Safety Institute Vice President of Operations Paul Deres.

“Discovering ways to challenge overconfidence and break from routine, we explore adopting a learner's mindset among pilots. Actively pursuing new ratings or endorsements can serve as a powerful disruptor to the cycle of complacency, preventing its formation before it takes root,” Deres concluded.

ASI’s Real Pilot Story series allows pilots to share their encounters with a dilemma so others can benefit—while comfortable on the ground—from lessons learned the hard way in flight.

View the real pilot story.