Maintaining Aircraft Control:  Upset Prevention and  Recovery Training Chapter 4 Introduction A pilot’s fundamental responsibility is to prevent a loss  of control (LOC). Loss of control in-flight (LOC-I) is the  leading cause of fatal general aviation accidents in the U.S.  and commercial aviation worldwide. LOC-I is defined  as a significant deviation of an aircraft from the intended  flightpath and it often results from an airplane upset.  Maneuvering is the most common phase of flight for general  aviation LOC-I accidents to occur; however, LOC-I accidents  occur in all phases of flight.  To prevent LOC-I accidents, it is important for pilots to  recognize and maintain a heightened awareness of situations  that increase the risk of loss of control. Those situations  include: uncoordinated flight, equipment malfunctions,  pilot complacency, distraction, turbulence, and poor  risk management – like attempting to fly in instrument  meteorological conditions (IMC) when the pilot is not  qualified or proficient. Sadly, there are also LOC-I accidents  resulting from intentional disregard or recklessness. 