What potential risk does the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) mitigate?

The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) is specifically designed to prevent controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) by alerting pilots to the imminent risk of flying too close to the ground or obstacles. This system uses various sensors and algorithms to detect the aircraft's altitude above terrain and provides warnings if it approaches ground contact too closely.

By mitigating the immediate danger of ground contact, GPWS helps pilots take corrective action to avoid collisions with the terrain, thereby enhancing flight safety. The system plays a crucial role during phases of flight such as approach, descent, and landing when the risk of ground contact is particularly high.

While other options relate to different aspects of flight safety, they do not address the specific functionality of GPWS in preventing ground collisions. For instance, over-long flights and unrealistic flight paths pertain to operational considerations, while poor weather conditions relate to environmental challenges faced during flight, none of which directly involves the primary function of the GPWS.