Theres been a number of accident reports released recently into fatal accidents in various countries. Sadly all too often these involve private pilots carrying paying passengers, something they are not allowed to do normally.
It's showing a pattern. All too often the pilot has not completed training in instrument flying,(in some cases they had none) flying in bad weather or night. In many cases they cant operate the controls of the auto pilot or manage the fuel system properly.
Some have out of date licences (so they shouldnt be flying at all) or very little or no experience in the aircraft they are trying to fly. Some only have a few hours solo without an instructor.
Some of the aircraft frankly should have been sold for scrap, with lots of various faults known to the pilot, who then takes paying passenges (in some cases) or family friends on their last flight.
Even sadder in several of these cases the passengers have noticed the state of the aircraft before taking off and texted friends worried, yet they still boarded.... and died.
The final factor in this all too common occurance is the pilots being on medication of some sort or other, usually unofficially.
Being serious this is a real problem both here and the US. Theres been a LOT of accidents, some high profile over the years. A courious fact while the DVLA here in the UK will follow up if you dont renew your driving licence, the CAA doesnt seem to if you fail to renew your pilots licence.... very odd.
So the take away from this? If your offered a flight, look at the plane and talk to the pilot, ask them a few tricky questions, see if they are impared. If the plane has issues, or the pilot is away with the fairies, walk away. And report it, you might save someone elses life.
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