The inexperienced pilot may see the nick as a high risk factor  because he is unsure of the affect the nick will have on the  operation of the prop, and he has been told that damage to  a prop could cause a catastrophic failure. This assessment  leads him to cancel his flight.  Therefore, elements or factors affecting individuals are  different and profoundly impact decision-making. These  are called human factors and can transcend education,  experience, health, physiological aspects, etc.  in the difference between the forecast altitudes, he assigned  a low risk to the hazard and took a chance. He and the  passengers died from a poor risk assessment of the situation.  Another example of risk assessment was the flight of a  Beechcraft King Air equipped with deicing and anti-icing.  The pilot deliberately flew into moderate to severe icing  conditions while ducking under cloud cover. A prudent pilot  would assess the risk as high and beyond the capabilities of  the aircraft, yet this pilot did the opposite. Why did the pilot  take this action?  Past experience prompted the action. The pilot had  successfully flown into these conditions repeatedly although  the icing conditions were previously forecast 2,000 feet above  the surface. This time, the conditions were forecast from the  surface. Since the pilot was in a hurry and failed to factor  Being fit to fly depends on more than just a pilot’s physical  condition and recent experience. For example, attitude  affects the quality of decisions. Attitude is a motivational  predisposition to respond to people, situations, or events in a  given manner. Studies have identified five hazardous attitudes  that can interfere with the ability to make sound decisions  and exercise authority properly: anti-authority, impulsivity,  invulnerability, macho, and resignation.  [Figure 2-4]  Hazardous attitudes contribute to poor pilot judgment but  can be effectively counteracted by redirecting the hazardous  attitude so that correct action can be taken. Recognition of  hazardous thoughts is the first step toward neutralizing them.  After recognizing a thought as hazardous, the pilot should  label it as hazardous, then state the corresponding antidote.  Antidotes should be memorized for each of the hazardous  attitudes so they automatically come to mind when needed.  Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes  Figure 2-4.  The five hazardous attitudes identified through past and contemporary study.  2-5  The Five Hazardous Attitudes  Antidote  Anti-authority: “Don’t tell me.”  This attitude is found in people who do not like anyone telling them what to do. In a  sense, they are saying, “No one can tell me what to do.” They may be resentful of  having someone tell them what to do or may regard rules, regulations, and procedures  as silly or unnecessary. However, it is always your prerogative to question authority  if you feel it is in error.  Impulsivity: “Do it quickly.”  This is the attitude of people who frequently feel the need to do something, anything,  immediately. They do not stop to think about what they are about to do, they do not  select the best alternative, and they do the first thing that comes to mind.  Invulnerability: “It won’t happen to me.”  Many people falsely believe that accidents happen to others, but never to them. They  know accidents can happen, and they know that anyone can be affected. However,  they never really feel or believe that they will be personally involved. Pilots who think  this way are more likely to take chances and increase risk.  Macho: “I can do it.”  Pilots who are always trying to prove that they are better than anyone else think, “I can  do it—I'll show them.” Pilots with this type of attitude will try to prove themselves by  taking risks in order to impress others. While this pattern is thought to be a male  characteristic, women are equally susceptible.  Resignation: “What’s the use?”  Pilots who think, “What’s the use?” do not see themselves as being able to make a  great deal of difference in what happens to them. When things go well, the pilot is apt  to think that it is good luck. When things go badly, the pilot may feel that someone is  out to get them or attribute it to bad luck. The pilot will leave the action to others, for  better or worse. Sometimes, such pilots will even go along with unreasonable requests  just to be a "nice guy."  Follow the rules. They are usually right.  Not so fast. Think first.  It could happen to me.  Taking chances is foolish.  I’m not helpless. I can make a difference. 