Definition
Mistakes that occur when a pilot fails to perform a required action, such as missing a checklist item, skipping a radio call, or neglecting to monitor an instrument. In situational awareness terms, errors of omission happen when relevant information is overlooked or left out of the pilot's mental picture, leading to incomplete or inaccurate awareness of the flight situation.
Plain English
Mistakes caused by leaving something out, like forgetting to do a step, skipping a check, or missing a piece of information that should have been noticed.
Context Anchor
Seen in human factors and situational awareness discussions, especially when reviewing missed checklist items, missed calls, or information that was not shared.
Derivation
Omission comes from the Latin omittere, meaning 'to let go' or 'to leave out.' In aviation, an error of omission is exactly that — something that should have been done or noticed was simply left out.
Why Pilots Care
These errors directly erode situational awareness and are a leading contributor to incidents when critical steps are skipped.
Intuition Check
Do not think of errors of omission as only paperwork mistakes or forgotten details. In aviation, an error of omission is any required action, call, check, or observation that is left out.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor identified an error of omission when the student climbed through the assigned altitude without ever calling level-off on the checklist.
Example Sentence 2
During the approach briefing the instructor pointed out an error of omission when the student failed to note the updated runway condition.