Human error, as it is defined, is much like mechanical failure. It is when a task, or task element, is not performed in accordance with its specifications. Incident surveys in aviation have attributed 70% of incidents to crew error, citing pilot error as the root cause of an aviation accident. First, we will discuss some of the different factors of human errors as they relate to aircraft accidents. Next, engineering and administrative control strategies are the two general methods used to address and reduce human error. Under these two areas are many systems, and we will evaluate how effective they are.
Human error is apparent in all areas of aviation. These can be classified into such groups as: 1.)the task not performed when required, 2.) the task performed when not required, 3.) the task performed incorrectly, 4.) the task(s) performed out of sequence, 5.) or the task performed late. In addition to these classifications, within each category a label of severity can be added, which would depend on the degree of "bad" it falls within. For example, structural damage caused by skipping a scheduled maintenance overhaul would be classified as an incident. If this resulted in passengers/pilot being injured by the plane falling out of the sky, it would be an accident. If death resulted, it would be catastrophic.
The most prevalent method of creating engineering control strategies is through
increased automation. Human error, as caused by human factors, are cited as the most common contributing factor or cause of incidents and accidents. Advances in automation seek to remove the human element and replace it with more consistency, to be performed by machines. First, cockpit standardization seeks to modernize displays and make certain instruments, digitized displays, weather radar, and radios more common or standard to one format, regardless of the type of aircraft, which may look like this ---->
Other areas include cockpit automation, which includes more advanced autopilot systems, electronic flight instruments, and even fully automated landing systems. Advanced warning and alerting systems have provided another tool to assist the pilot in maintaining awareness of the aircraft and its surroundings. This may include, fuel monitoring systems, ground proximity warning systems, and aircraft proximity warnings. Also, the FMS(Flight Management System) allows for more expedient access to navigation databases, checklists, weather reports, and flight plans. One potential advancement is ADS-B, which deals with the advancement of automated communication and GPS tracking of aircraft. This systems would enable the controlling of aircraft by means of messages being sent directly to the aircraft and acknowledged without any voice communication. It would also enable aircraft to have more real time updates on weather and data on other aircraft, and to be tracked via GNSS(Global Navigation Satellite System). More information can be found at http://www.ads-b.com. Although human interaction will still be required to initiate, monitor, and control these systems in the event of equipment failure, their implementation helps create many lines of defense between safety and human error.
Although turning many flight functions over to a computer may seem like the best approach, there is another angle that attempts to control the human factor. This final area which mitigates human error is through administrative control policies. A few of these policies, which are developed and enforced by company managers, are training, employee selection, procedures, and checklists. These are normally designed and updated through human error, but they attempt to make sure the same mistakes are not repeated. This is where a common phrase of "checklists are written in blood" comes from, as it is often not until an incident or accident occurs that recognition is given to a potential unsafe piece of equipment or procedure needing to be updated. Next, communication is very important, and must be supported at all levels. Company leaders must ensure that crew members are updated on procedures and company goals, and that they will be enforced. Communication between crew members ensures that less items go missed, and each others actions are backed up. These policies all serve to reinforce the importance of doing the right thing. Even though a slight compromise of safety may be overlooked administratively, it could still result in an accident if not properly addressed.
Human error is apparent in all areas of aviation. These can be classified into such groups as: 1.)the task not performed when required, 2.) the task performed when not required, 3.) the task performed incorrectly, 4.) the task(s) performed out of sequence, 5.) or the task performed late. In addition to these classifications, within each category a label of severity can be added, which would depend on the degree of "bad" it falls within. For example, structural damage caused by skipping a scheduled maintenance overhaul would be classified as an incident. If this resulted in passengers/pilot being injured by the plane falling out of the sky, it would be an accident. If death resulted, it would be catastrophic.
The most prevalent method of creating engineering control strategies is through
increased automation. Human error, as caused by human factors, are cited as the most common contributing factor or cause of incidents and accidents. Advances in automation seek to remove the human element and replace it with more consistency, to be performed by machines. First, cockpit standardization seeks to modernize displays and make certain instruments, digitized displays, weather radar, and radios more common or standard to one format, regardless of the type of aircraft, which may look like this ---->Other areas include cockpit automation, which includes more advanced autopilot systems, electronic flight instruments, and even fully automated landing systems. Advanced warning and alerting systems have provided another tool to assist the pilot in maintaining awareness of the aircraft and its surroundings. This may include, fuel monitoring systems, ground proximity warning systems, and aircraft proximity warnings. Also, the FMS(Flight Management System) allows for more expedient access to navigation databases, checklists, weather reports, and flight plans. One potential advancement is ADS-B, which deals with the advancement of automated communication and GPS tracking of aircraft. This systems would enable the controlling of aircraft by means of messages being sent directly to the aircraft and acknowledged without any voice communication. It would also enable aircraft to have more real time updates on weather and data on other aircraft, and to be tracked via GNSS(Global Navigation Satellite System). More information can be found at http://www.ads-b.com. Although human interaction will still be required to initiate, monitor, and control these systems in the event of equipment failure, their implementation helps create many lines of defense between safety and human error.
Although turning many flight functions over to a computer may seem like the best approach, there is another angle that attempts to control the human factor. This final area which mitigates human error is through administrative control policies. A few of these policies, which are developed and enforced by company managers, are training, employee selection, procedures, and checklists. These are normally designed and updated through human error, but they attempt to make sure the same mistakes are not repeated. This is where a common phrase of "checklists are written in blood" comes from, as it is often not until an incident or accident occurs that recognition is given to a potential unsafe piece of equipment or procedure needing to be updated. Next, communication is very important, and must be supported at all levels. Company leaders must ensure that crew members are updated on procedures and company goals, and that they will be enforced. Communication between crew members ensures that less items go missed, and each others actions are backed up. These policies all serve to reinforce the importance of doing the right thing. Even though a slight compromise of safety may be overlooked administratively, it could still result in an accident if not properly addressed.
References
Wells, Alexander T., and Clarence C. Rodrigues. Commercial Aviation Safety. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Print
"YouTube - Managing Human Error." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 22 Apr. 2010.
About ADS-B." ADS-B.com. Web. 26 Apr. 2010..
About ADS-B." ADS-B.com. Web. 26 Apr. 2010.
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