Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) Awareness

Is an accident in which an airworthy aircraft, under pilot control, is unintentionally flown into the ground, a mountain, a body of water or an obstacle.

Caused By: Lack of situational awareness.

CFIT can be avoided with proper training procedures, crew resource management (CRM) and radar surveillance by air traffic services.

Situational Awareness 

Situational awareness is the accurate perception and understanding of all the factors and conditions within the five fundamental risk elements (flight, pilot, aircraft, environment, and type of operation that comprise any given aviation situation) that affect safety.

Examples: Proximate terrain, obstructions, airspaces and weather systems.