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CAA Project                                              
April 30, 1947


QUESTIONS FOR THE
AIRLINE PILOT INTERVIEW


QUESTION #1
"Probably all pilots who have flown a lot have done something at one time or another that got them into an uncomfortable situation or even a near accident. We would like to get from each pilot several examples of such things that he has done. First, could you describe the most recent situation in which you did something like this and tell me just what you did?"

The purpose of this question is twofold. First, it has been worded in such a way as to obtain an example of specific behavior of a pilot, something which the pilot did. It is essential that the question evoke this type of response. It may be necessary to reword the question and ask it a second time in order that the pilot understand what is wanted. Secondly, the question specifically asks for the most recent example. This is important to assure us that all of the incidents we obtain will represent a fairly random sample of typical things pilots do that get them into dangerous situations. It is important, therefore, that the interviewer obtain the most recent incident. It is expected that from some pilots interviewers may be able to obtain more than one incident. Consequently, after the pilot has given his most recent incident, the interviewer should then ask the pilot if he can recall more than one incident, but the number should not exceed three because of time limitations. It will be left up to the interviewer to judge each example the pilot gives and determine if secondary questions are necessary in order to obtain what is needed. As a guide for the interviewer, the essential information to be obtained from this question can be summarized as follows:

1. The most recent example of something the pilot did that resulted in a dangerous situation or near accident. What was the unsafe act?
2. Conditions under which the incident occurred: location, traffic, weather, instruments or contact flight, day or night flight, etc.