Define "controlled flight into terrain (CFIT)."

Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) refers to an incident in which a fully operational and airworthy aircraft is unintentionally flown into the ground, obstacles, or water. This situation typically occurs when the pilots are unaware of the impending collision, often due to a lack of situational awareness or insufficient altitude management.

Understanding CFIT is crucial in aviation safety since it emphasizes the importance of maintaining spatial awareness and using instruments effectively to avoid obstacles and ensure safe navigation, even in challenging conditions. Pilots must be trained to recognize and avoid situations that could lead to such accidents, reinforcing the need for effective training and systems that enhance situational awareness.

Other options describe scenarios that do not accurately represent CFIT, such as intentional crashes, equipment failures leading to control loss, or weather conditions causing loss of control. Each of these involves different factors that do not align with the core concept of CFIT, which is focused specifically on the unintentional nature of the flight's descent into terrain while under pilot control.