New Resource Helps Reduce the Risks of Circle-to-Land Approaches

April 6, 2026

The Aviation Safety Information and Analysis Sharing (ASIAS) program, an FAA/industry partnership, recently conducted an analysis of circle-to-land approaches to identify contributing factors of safety issues related to the procedure.

That analysis led to a new Circle-to-Land Approach Hazards resource for general aviation pilots and operators.

Ten accidents involving Part 91 and 135 operators occurred during circle-to-land approaches between 2008 and 2023, resulting in 17 fatalities.

ASIAS notes three key areas of interest for flight crews:

• There is a subset of airports where circling approaches are more common. Pilots should be aware of the circling approaches at these airports and conduct thorough pre-flight and pre-approach briefings.
• Flight crews should be aware of the circling approach obstacle protected airspace for the individual approach and airport, using all available tools to remain within the obstacle protection area.
• There’s a linkage between circling approaches and unstable approaches.

“ASIAS completed this analysis following recent accidents, including those at Truckee Tahoe Airport (TKF) and Gillespie Field (SEE), involving a circle-to-land approach, noting these maneuvers often result in an unstable approach,” said Mark Larsen, CAM, NBAA director of safety and flight operations, and member of the ASIAS General Aviation Issues Analysis Team.

“A stabilized approach reduces risk of loss of control in-flight and decreases the probability of some of the most common and fatal accident types,” he added.

ASIAS identified 10 airports where circling approaches are conducted at a higher level than other airports across the system, including but not limited to:

• Chicago Executive Airport (PWK)
• Eagle Count Regional Airport (EGE)
• Long Beach Airport (LGB)
• Peachtree/Dekalb Airport (PDK)
• Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
• Teterboro Airport (TEB)
• Van Nuys Airport (VNY)

“While circling approaches are sometimes necessary due to airport environments or unfavorable winds, we know these approaches present increased risk,” Larsen added. “This resource is an opportunity to disseminate information collected and analyzed by ASIAS, highlighting those risks and providing mitigation strategies for pilots. In general, pilots should utilize an alternative option to a circling approach, especially when a straight-in approach is available to a suitable runway.”

Teterboro Airport recently introduced a new instrument approach procedure, RNAV (GPS) RWY 01, meant to minimize the need for circle-to-land approaches. While offering the advantage of lateral and vertical guidance to the runway, the new IAP notably introduces a Visual Guidance Fix (VGF) and visual segment concept at TEB.

Operators flying this approach should be familiar with VGF and ensure the approach is included in their database.

The ASIAS circle-to-land resource also highlights the ongoing need for safety data-sharing. ASIAS utilizes data obtained through Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Aviation Safety Reporting System, Flight Operational Quality Assurance, air traffic control safety reports and more.

“ASIAS’s ability to analyze data which leads to industry recommendations relies upon a stream of good data. NBAA encourages members to participate in safety data sharing programs, whether through ASAP, FOQA or other means,” said Larsen. “Data sharing is crucial to improving safety in the aviation industry as a whole.”

NBAA member Part 135 operators can find additional circle-to-land approach information in a new resource, the NBAA Operations Specifications Guide: Demystifying Operations Specifications for Part 135 Operators. The guide provides plain-language explanations of the purpose of Operations Specifications (OpSpecs) and includes a deep-dive into OpSpec C075: Category 1 IFR Landing Minimums – Circle-to-Land Approach Maneuver.