More Airplane Accidents are Caused by Pilot Error than any Other Single Factor.

Question: More airplane accidents are caused by pilot error than any other single factor. The military recently stopped requiring pilots to obtain immunization shots against chemical warfare agents. The shots are known to cause unpredictable dizzy spells, which can result in pilot error. Since many military pilots also pilot commercial passenger airlines, the reason for the military's decision must have been to reduce the number of commercial airline accidents.

Which of the following, if true, provides most support for the conclusion drawn above?

1. Recently, more pilots have been volunteering for the immunization shots
2. All commercial airline flights are piloted by two co-pilots, whereas military flights are usually piloted by only one
3. Chemical warfare is likely to escalate in the future
4. Military pilots are choosing to resign rather than obtain the immunization shots
5. Recently, the number of military pilots also piloting commercial airliners has declined

More Airplane Accidents are Caused by Pilot Error than any Other Single Factor -is a GMAT Critical reasoning question. This particular GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘Peterson’s Master the GMAT: Practice Test 2’. This particular topic is the Assumption and conclusion type of question. For this type, the candidates need to provide an assumption supporting the conclusion in the passage. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. Critical reasoning in GMAT requires candidates to find the strengths and weaknesses of the argument, or find the logical flaw in the argument.  The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

Answer: C
Explanation: GMAT critical reasoning tests the reasoning abilities of the candidate along with logical and analytical thinking.

We will check each option one by one to see if they match the conclusion. 

Option A: Recently, more pilots have been volunteering for the immunization shots - The passage states that the military recently made it not mandatory for pilots to obtain immunization shots against chemical warfare agents. Since they stopped the shots, there is no question of pilots volunteering for it. Hence, we have to consider this not correct and not supporting the conclusion. 

Option B: All commercial airline flights are piloted by two co-pilots, whereas military flights are usually piloted by only one - There is no such information in the passage. The brief of the passage also does not support the statement or prove it to be right. Hence, this is also incorrect. 

Option C: Chemical warfare is likely to escalate in the future - The argument concludes that the reason for the military’s decision was to reduce pilot error during commercial flights. Chemical warfare is likely to escalate in the future, it would seem that the military would continue to require immunization shots. However, the military stopped requiring shots. So the military’s decision must have been based on some factor that rules out chemical warfare. Hence, this is the correct answer. 
We have received the correct answer. However, we will still check options D and E. 

Option D: Military pilots are choosing to resign rather than obtain the immunization shots - The immune shots have a side effect of unpredictable dizzy spells, which can result in pilot error. This might be the reason that pilots are resigning. However, this is based on assumption and not a conclusion. Hence, this is incorrect. 

Option E: Recently, the number of military pilots also piloting commercial airliners has declined - The pilots also fly commercial flights. The effects of immune shots might hamper the health of the pilots which might reduce commercial flights. This is also based on assumption. No such information or conclusion is provided or can be drawn from the passage. This is also not correct. 

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