What does CFIT stand for?

• A. Controlled Flight Into Terrain
• B. Collision Free In Terrain
• C. Controlled Field Into Terrain
• D. Collision Flight Into Terrain

Answer: (A)

CFIT means a situation where the aircraft is in controlled flight but is unintentionally flown into terrain, such as the ground or an obstacle. This term describes accidents where the airplane is functioning properly and under pilot control, yet the crew loses situational awareness or misinterprets terrain and navigation cues, often in reduced visibility or complex terrain.

This option correctly captures the standard aviation terminology: “Controlled Flight Into Terrain” indicates that the flight is in control, and the issue is with the flight path intersecting terrain, not a loss of control or a collision in an uncontrolled way. The other phrases don’t align with established usage—they use incorrect wording or imply scenarios not described by CFIT.