Heeding That Little Voice: Intuition's Key Role in Aviation Safety
- Matt Farrell
- Mar 4
- 5 min read
Aviation is a field built on precision, discipline, and continuous learning. Every checklist we follow, every maintenance procedure we perform, and every flight we take part in is another opportunity to reinforce the foundation of safety that holds this industry together. But for all the structured procedures and well-documented best practices, sometimes the most critical safeguard isn’t found in a manual—it’s the voice in the back of our head that tells us when something isn’t quite right.
That voice—our intuition—is one of the most powerful tools in aviation. It’s that gut feeling that warns a pilot to double-check the fuel caps before takeoff or tells a mechanic that a part requiring excessive grease isn’t behaving as it should. Too often, in the hustle of daily operations, we dismiss these small warnings, trusting in routine and time-tested habits to keep things running smoothly. But as a recent Learjet incident at Scottsdale Airport reminds us, ignoring that inner voice can have serious consequences.
A Small Clue, A Big Consequence
The NTSB’s preliminary report on the Learjet that departed the runway upon touchdown revealed that the aircraft’s left main landing gear separated from the airframe. The investigation found that the aft trunnion pin, a crucial component in securing the gear, was missing—even though the retaining hardware was still in place.
Buried within the report was a telling detail: a mechanic had noted that the pin “took a lot of grease.” This greasing operation should have required no more than a spoonful of grease, yet it took an excessive amount. That was the moment for pause, for investigation, for a second set of eyes. That was the moment when intuition—if heeded—could have prevented an accident.
Unfortunately, in the real-world pressures of aviation maintenance, it’s easy to push past these moments. Schedules are tight. Aircraft need to be turned around quickly. Pilots are waiting. Somewhere in that environment, the opportunity to question the excessive grease and investigate further was lost.
This wasn’t a case of incompetence—it was a case of distraction, of workload, of assuming that something was a quirk rather than a warning sign. And that’s where we, as an industry, need to step back and remind ourselves: safety is never static. It’s something we must actively pursue every single day.
Every Day is an Opportunity to Improve Aviation Safety
Aviation professionals—whether pilots, mechanics, or air traffic controllers—operate in a high-stakes world where there is no room for complacency. This is why ongoing education, training, and professional development aren’t just obligations—they are opportunities to sharpen our instincts, refine our judgment, and strengthen the layers of aviation safety that protect us all.
Recently the South Carolina IA (Inspection Authorization) Renewal event was a perfect example of how aviation professionals stay ahead of evolving challenges. These gatherings are about more than just earning recertification; they are moments where mechanics, inspectors, and industry leaders share experiences, discuss regulatory changes, and reinforce the mindset that aviation safety is a never-ending process.
From regulatory updates to real-world case studies, these moments remind us that every conversation and every insight adds another layer of protection—not just for the aircraft we work on, but for the pilots and passengers who trust us with their lives.
If we’re not taking advantage of opportunities like IA renewals, recurrent pilot training, and industry conferences, we’re falling behind. We’re missing the chance to reinforce the habits that keep us sharp. We’re missing the chance to step out of the daily grind and re-engage with the mindset that every small detail matters.
The Danger of Rushing Past the Details
Time pressure is one of the biggest threats to aviation safety. Whether it’s a pilot skipping over a checklist item because they’ve flown the aircraft a hundred times before, or a mechanic signing off on a job without investigating a small irregularity, rushing creates risk.
We’ve all been there:
That landing gear retraction sounded a little off, but the indicators were all green—it’s probably fine.
This bolt took more torque than usual, but it’s in place now—no need to dig deeper.
The engine start seemed sluggish, but the numbers looked good—probably just a one-time thing.
Most of the time, these anomalies don’t immediately lead to a failure. But every now and then, they do. And when they do, we’re left wondering if we could have done something different.
The Learjet’s Missing Pin—A Case Study in the Cost of Complacency
The excessive grease requirement in the Learjet’s trunnion pin was a red flag. If that moment had been met with curiosity instead of dismissal, the investigation might have revealed that the pin was shifting abnormally or not seating correctly. That insight could have led to a deeper inspection, potentially preventing the gear failure that followed.
Aviation safety is built on layers—layers of training, layers of redundancy, and layers of human vigilance. When we skip steps, when we dismiss small irregularities, when we assume instead of verify, we peel away those layers. And when too many layers are gone, failure is inevitable.
The Power of Being Present
Aviation demands presence. Whether you’re in the cockpit or on the maintenance floor, the ability to stay fully engaged in the task at hand—to be truly present—can mean the difference between catching a small issue early and dealing with a catastrophe later.
How Do We Keep Our Heads in the Game?
Trust Your Instincts
If something seems off, it probably is. No one knows an aircraft better than the people who maintain or operate it daily. A strange sound, a loose-fitting component, or an unusually high grease requirement—these are not quirks; they are clues.
Slow Down
Yes, there are schedules to meet. But an aircraft that doesn’t take off on time is far better than one that doesn’t land safely. Taking an extra five minutes to investigate a concern is always worth it.
Engage in Continuous Learning Even if it is Not Required
Attend IA renewals, go to industry conferences, take refresher courses, and stay involved in discussions about aviation safety. Every bit of knowledge reinforces the foundation that keeps us sharp.
Seek a Second Opinion
Aviation is a team effort. If something feels off, ask another mechanic, inspector, or pilot for their perspective. Fresh eyes can spot things we might have missed.
Document Everything
If something seems odd but no immediate issue is found, document it. A well-written log entry might help the next person catch a problem before it escalates.
Foster a Culture of Safety
Leadership in aviation maintenance and operations should encourage a culture where slowing down to investigate concerns is not only accepted but expected. No one should feel pressured to overlook a potential issue to keep things moving.
Final Thoughts
The Learjet’s main gear failure wasn’t an isolated case—it was the result of a pattern we see too often in aviation. A small anomaly was overlooked, a detail was dismissed, and the layers of safety that should have caught the problem weren’t there when they were needed most.
As the industry evolves, we must commit ourselves to a culture of continuous improvement. Every sunrise over an airfield, every preflight walkaround, every maintenance log entry is a reminder that safety isn’t a one-time effort—it’s a mindset.
Let’s learn from one another. Let’s keep sharing stories, attending trainings, and engaging with the aviation community. Because at the end of the day, the decisions we make don’t just affect airframes and logbooks. They affect lives.
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