Total Loss of Aircraft Control

Total Loss of Aircraft Control is defined as an aircraft that is experiencing sustained unexpected, dangerous, or abnormal unintentional flight behavior and is unable to quickly recover. Total loss of control is typically a result of prolonged saturation of the aircraft’s control authority. In this scenario, the aircraft is in immediate danger of crashing as its ability to hold position & altitude has been compromised.

Total Loss of Aircraft Control can occur if the battery level goes below 1%, if the aircraft is overloaded, if the center of gravity is too far away from center, if the aircraft is in extreme weather, or if the aircraft experiences a mechanical failure of some kind.

If experiencing total loss of control, it is always recommended to bring the sticks to center to allow the aircraft to try to regain control on its own. If the aircraft is able to recover control, be extremely gentle with further input and land in place if safe to do so.

If the aircraft is unable to regain control on its own (with the sticks centered), it is unlikely that additional pilot input would have helped in any way.

Total Loss of Aircraft Control typically results in Loss of Aircraft. Even if the aircraft is able to land safely this should be treated as a serious event and the operator should look to positively identify the cause of the issue before flying that aircraft again.

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