Most accidents do not come from one big mistake. They come from small errors that accumulate while a pilot loses track of what is happening. Situational awareness is the perception and understanding of everything relevant to flight safety at any moment.

It has three levels. Perception means noticing the data. Comprehension means understanding what it means. Projection means anticipating what happens next. Pilots who lose any level become vulnerable, even if their hands are still on the controls.

Common threats

• Fatigue and high workload
• Automation mode confusion
• Distraction during critical phases
• Fixation on a single problem

Crew resource management training teaches pilots to speak up, cross-check, and challenge each other. A co-pilot who notices a wrong setting and says nothing is more dangerous than one who questions the captain.