Yeah, I've made lots of mistakes - as recently as today! In truth, many should have been fatal, but with little more than luck, the "swiss cheese holes" did not line up, and I did not fall through. I opine that the real skill in a person, is to not only recognize the mistake, but correctly place it in the context of why did it happen (so as to prevent a repeat) and what were the consequences. How would you do it differently next time, or more simply, what did you learn, and how will you apply it!
i would back what pilot Dar has said 100%. I have lost 5 friends to aviatiom and have also had swiss chease holes not lining up which makes me think "there for the grace of god go I".
We are a mixed bag of personalities and abilities as well as experience and it is so important to fly within your and the aircraft limitations.
More important to actually know what those limitations are and there lies the problem.
Pace