Human Performance and LimitationsAir Regulations — DGCA CPL practice questions
Question 1 of 5
As a cause of accidents, the human factor:
All 5 questions — Human Performance and Limitations
Air Regulations · DGCA CPL. The correct option is marked on each.
Q1. As a cause of accidents, the human factor:
- A.Is cited in approximately 73% of aviation accidents.✓
- B.Has increased accidents exponentially since 1970.
- C.Has been generally due to high workload in the cockpit.
Why: The source explicitly states: "Human factors are cited as a major cause in over 73% of accidents. This figure has not changed since the 1950's." This is the single most frequently tested numerical fact in the HPL syllabus. → See Section 5.4 above for full context — Memorise the exact phrase — "human factors cited in approximately 73% of accidents" and "unchanged since the 1950's." The combination of high percentage + stable over decades is the testable concept: even with advances in technology, the human element remains the dominant accident factor.
Q2. The rate of accidents in commercial aviation:
- A.Is approximately 52 accidents per million airport movements.
- B.Has worsened considerably since 1970.
- C.Is approximately 1 accident per million airport movements.✓
Why: The source states verbatim: "The rate of accidents in commercial aviation (excluding sabotage and acts of terrorism) is approximately 1 accident per million airport movements ." The qualifier "excluding sabotage and acts of terrorism" is important — accident statistics do not count deliberate hostile acts. → See Section 4.1 above — Watch for examiners using slightly varied phrasing: "per million flights," "per million airport movements," "per million departures." The DGCA source uses "per million airport movements" — quote that exact unit.
Q3. The most common specific cause of pilot-induced accidents is:
- A.Poor pre-flight planning.
- B.Hypoxia.
- C.Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).✓
Why: The source states verbatim: "Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) is the most common form of air accident." CFIT happens when a fully airworthy aircraft, with a qualified pilot at the controls, is unintentionally flown into terrain, water or an obstacle — almost always due to loss of situation awareness, poor navigation, or communication breakdown. → See Section 4.3 above — The DGCA terminology is " most common form of air accident " → CFIT. Don't be confused by modern industry reports that may rank Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I) higher in fatality counts — for the DGCA RTR/HPL exam, th…
Q4. Most of the accidents take place during:
- A.Cruise.
- B.Approach and Landing.✓
- C.Take off and initial climb.
Why: Reading the source chart of accident phase distribution: Landing: 24.1% Approach: 9.7% Approach + Landing combined: 33.8% Take-off + Initial Climb: 23.4% Cruise: 15.7% Approach and Landing together account for the largest share of all aircraft accidents — despite this group occupying only ~ 15% of total flight time. → See Section 6.2 chart and 6.3 table above — Two facts to keep separate: (1) Highest risk per unit time = Take-off & Initial Climb (23.4% of accidents in just 2% of time). (2) Largest absolute share of accidents = Approach & Landing combined (33.8%). The DGCA exam question "Mos…
Q5. Most aircraft accidents are linked to:
- A.Deficiencies in human performance.✓
- B.Technical failures.
- C.Adverse weather conditions.
Why: The source states verbatim: "Most aircraft accidents are linked to deficiencies in human performance." This connects directly to the 73% statistic — human factors are the dominant root cause. The specific deficiencies named include poor lookout, situation awareness, decision-making, task organization, communication, failure to recognize threats, and the commission of errors. → See Section 4.2 above — Q5 is the conceptual sibling of Q1. Q1 asks for the percentage (73%); Q5 asks for the category (deficiencies in human performance). Both point to the same core truth: the human element is the d…