Introduction Human Factors in Aviation Accidents

The Impact of Human Factor Studies on Aviation Accident Statistics

Ever since the jet transport was introduced in the 1950 's , the number of aircraft accidents resulting from mechanical failures has dropped considerably (Sexton , Thomas Helmreich , 2000 . Unfortunately , the same cannot be said about human-error related accidents whose overall rate remains significantly high and stable over the past few years (Shappell and Wiegmann , 1996 as cited Shappell and Wiegmann , 2001 . In fact , human factors have been implicated in majority of aviation accidents - a study conducted by the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation [BASI] (1996 ) involving 75 fatal aircraft accidents revealed that 72 of these accidents involved pilot factors such as poor judgment , divided attention and failure to make correct judgments . Recent researches in the field of human factors and aviation have recognized however that pilot factors is only one of the many causalities for aircraft mishaps . The organisational structure or the system itself , of which the pilot and the other aircrew are only a part , plays an equally if not far more important role in addressing aircraft safety issues . In order to have a better outlook of the interrelation between the kind of system an organization has and its ability to manage errors and thus consequently avoid accidents , let 's have a look at what makes a productive system and the reason why productive systems break down . The aviation industry can be viewed as a complex system whose primary output is the safe conduct of flight operations regardless of whether it is for transportation , recreation or national defense (Wiegmann Shappell , 2003 . One of the key elements that make the system productive is the activity of its front line operators (pilots in the case of aviation ) such activities should be an effective integration of human and mechanical factors within the system . In the aviation industry , productive activities can only occur if the equipment are well-maintained and reliable , and the workforce , well-trained . Furthermore , efficient Human Factors in Aviation Accidents 3 supervision and effective management results to correct decisions being made (Wiegmann Shappell , 2003 . Such decisions are usually a result of careful assessment of social , economic and political factors that affect the industry , and an open feedback line between managers and workers within the system . Most of the time a productive system such as this works quite well , but at certain times some things are overlooked

and what is thought to be a highly organized system breaks down . A productive system includes in its structure defences , barriers and safeguards that ensure the safety of its members and its assets . In the aviation industry such defenses are a blend of engineering (alarms , automations , human factor (skilled pilots and control-room operators , and effective procedures and administration (Reason , 2000 . The defensive layers are not actually perfect and they can be viewed as slices of Swiss cheese having many holes in it . Ordinarily , the holes open , close...