Circumstances, contingencies and pressure from a passenger push an otherwise conscientious low-hours pilot towards a dangerous decision.

Circumstances, contingencies and pressure from a passenger push an otherwise conscientious low-hours pilot towards&nbsp;a dangerous decision.

Long day's journey into night VFR

Make yourself heard

What you can't hear can still hurt you, as this pilot was shocked to discover, despite due diligence. Only the 'mk1 eyeball' saved the day. Read this close call at  https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/07/the-silence-over-kingaroy/. 

What you can't hear can still hurt you, as this pilot was shocked to discover, despite due diligence. Only the 'mk1 eyeball' saved the day. Read this close call at &nbsp;<a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/07/the-silence-over-kingaroy/">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/07/the-silence-over-kingaroy/</a>.&nbsp;

The silence over Kingaroy

Unchallenged assumptions about controlled airspace procedures put this pilot in a potentially very dangerous situation. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/05/mix-up-in-the-salad-bowl/

Unchallenged assumptions about controlled airspace procedures put this pilot in a potentially very dangerous situation. Read this close call at <a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/05/mix-up-in-the-salad-bowl/">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/05/mix-up-in-the-salad-bowl/</a>

Mix up in the salad bowl

A newly minted pilot faces their first in-flight emergency, with the added complication of it happening in tightly controlled airspace. Spoiler: it ended well. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/04/perfectly-gauged-response/.

A newly minted pilot faces their first in-flight emergency, with the added complication of it happening in tightly controlled airspace. Spoiler: it ended well. Read this close call at <a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/04/perfectly-gauged-response/">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/04/perfectly-gauged-response/</a>.

Perfectly gauged response

We've all had them: those flights that challenge the plan from the moment the wheels leave the ground. That's when distraction and frustration open the door for error. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/12/dont-stop-now/.

We've all had them: those flights that challenge the plan from the moment the wheels leave the ground. That's when distraction and frustration open the door for error. Read this close call at <a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/?p=212700&amp;preview=true">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/12/dont-stop-now/</a>.

Don't stop now

The fundamentals of flight planning do not change, as this classic close call from 2008 demonstrates. A first flight in a new type was a fuel management challenge a young pilot nearly failed. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/01/tanks-for-nothing/.

The fundamentals of flight planning do not change, as this classic close call from 2008 demonstrates. A first flight in a new type was a fuel management challenge a young pilot nearly failed. Read this close call at <a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/01/tanks-for-nothing/">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/01/tanks-for-nothing/</a>.

The fundamentals of flight planning do not change, as this classic close call from 2008 demonstrates. A first flight in a new type was a fuel management challenge a young pilot nearly failed. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/12/tanks-for-nothing/.

Tanks for nothing

The textbook reactions of a low-hours pilot facing a deteriorating situation show how ab initio training works – if you listen and take its messages seriously. 

Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/11/fast-thinking-fledging/.

The textbook reactions of a low-hours pilot facing a deteriorating situation show how ab initio training works &ndash; if you listen and take its messages seriously.&nbsp;
Read this close call at <a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/?p=212275&amp;preview=true">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/11/fast-thinking-fledging/</a>.

The textbook reactions of a low-hours pilot facing a deteriorating situation show how ab initio training works – if you listen and take its messages seriously.   Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/11/fast-thinking-fledging/.

Fast-thinking fledgling

Almost too late, a young pilot learns the importance of assertiveness as part of flight control.

Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/10/blundering-through-the-authority-gap/

Almost too late, a young pilot learns the importance of assertiveness as part of flight control.
Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/10/blundering-through-the-authority-gap/

Almost too late, a young pilot learns the importance of assertiveness as part of flight control.  Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/10/blundering-through-the-authority-gap/

Blundering through the authority gap

An insidious and subtle failure almost bring's a young commercial pilot's career to a premature end.

Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/08/reality-under-pressure/.

An insidious and subtle failure almost bring's a young commercial pilot's career to a premature end.
Read this close call at <a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/08/reality-under-pressure/">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/08/reality-under-pressure/</a>.

An insidious and subtle failure almost bring's a young commercial pilot's career to a premature end.  Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/08/reality-under-pressure/.

Reality under pressure

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is a government body that regulates Australian aviation safety. We license pilots, register aircraft and oversee safety.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is a government body that regulates Australian aviation safety. We license pilots, register aircraft and oversee safety.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is a governme…

Close calls

Audio close calls share real pilot stories of incidents and near misses, helping you understand what went wrong and the practical lessons you can use to fly more safely.

Audio close calls share real pilot stories of incidents and near misses, helping you understand what went wrong and the practical lessons you can use to fly more safely.

Close calls

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