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Stall: I think using the term reckless is not correct in the JFK Jr. accident. A better term would be poor judgement. The reason I say this is that I'm sure he thought that he was flying safely. In most accidents there is as series of events that lead to the accident. At many points along the way good judgement can make a bad situation come out better.
The saying " good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgement" says alot. Every pilot, if they are honest with you, has made some bad calls. I know I sure have. But I have tried to learn from both my bad calls and those of other pilots. I have also tried to learn from the good calls I and others have made.
Most pilots survive their bad judgements and, hopefully, become a little smarter next time. Unfortunately JFK Jr. didn't survive. So I don't think it is fair to call his flight reckless. Reckless implies that he knowingly did something risky and at the limits of his ability. The real lesson to be learned is that we have to examine our decisions carefully and make sure that we are not just rationalizing our way into trouble.
Mike S.
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