Definition
A present condition, event, object, or circumstance that could lead to or contribute to an unplanned or undesired event such as an accident. A hazard is the source of potential harm; it exists before any incident occurs.
Plain English
A hazard is something already there that could cause trouble — a worn tire, a thunderstorm nearby, a tired pilot. It is the condition itself, not the bad outcome it might lead to.
Context Anchor
Seen in risk management discussions when a pilot is identifying what could go wrong before or during a flight.
Derivation
From Old French 'hasard,' originally a game of dice, later meaning chance or risk. In aviation, the word keeps that sense of a present condition carrying the chance of harm.
Why Pilots Care
Recognizing hazards early lets pilots assess the associated risks and apply controls before a situation becomes an accident.
Intuition Check
Hazard does not mean the same thing as risk here. The hazard is the source of possible danger; risk is how likely and how serious the result could be.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot identified the gusting crosswind as a hazard and decided to use a different runway.
Example Sentence 2
Low visibility over mountainous terrain created a hazard that required delaying the flight until conditions improved.