What does the term 'controlled flight into terrain' (CFIT) refer to?

Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) specifically describes a situation where an aircraft, under the control of the pilot, inadvertently flies into the ground, water, or an obstacle. This often occurs despite the pilot not being aware of the impending collision, typically due to factors such as poor visibility, distraction, or a lack of situational awareness. The term emphasizes that the flight is "controlled" until the moment of impact, which distinguishes it from other types of accidents where the aircraft may be out of control.

The significance of recognizing CFIT lies in enhancing safety measures and training to improve pilot awareness and decision-making, especially in challenging environments. This understanding helps in implementing strategies such as better situational awareness, advanced cockpit technologies, and effective use of terrain awareness and warning systems (TAWS) to prevent such incidents.

Other options refer to distinct aviation issues. For instance, landing on the wrong runway does not involve terrain collision, accidents during poor weather conditions can stem from a variety of complications, and flying at a lower altitude than required does not always lead to CFIT if there’s no obstacle or ground beneath the flight path.