The predominant cause of airplane upsets is attributed to which factor?

The predominant cause of airplane upsets is attributed to environmental factors. Many aviation incidents arise from conditions such as turbulence, wind shear, or icing, which can disrupt an aircraft’s normal flight path and cause unexpected behavior. These environmental influences can lead to situations that exceed the aircraft's operational limits, catching pilots off guard and potentially resulting in an upset.

While airplane system anomalies, pilot-induced factors, and mechanical failures can contribute to flight safety issues, they are typically less common as a direct cause of upsets compared to the impact of changing weather conditions and other environmental phenomena. Understanding environmental factors is crucial for pilots, as recognizing and effectively responding to these conditions can mitigate the risk of upsets and enhance overall safety in flight operations.