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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 numberof aircraft accidents resulting from mechanical failures has droppedconsiderably (Sexton , Thomas Helmreich , 2000 . Unfortunately , thesame cannot be said about human-error related accidents whose overallrate remains significantly high and stable over the past few years (Shappell andWiegmann , 1996 as cited Shappell and Wiegmann , 2001 . Infact , 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 ofthese accidents involved pilot factors such as poor judgment , dividedattention and failure to make correct judgments . Recent researches inthe field of human factors and aviation have recognized however thatpilot factors is only one of the many causalities for aircraft mishaps .The organisational structure or the system itself , of which the pilotand the other aircrew are only a part , plays an equally if not far moreimportant role in addressing aircraft safety issues .In order to have a better outlook of the interrelation between the kindof system an organization has and its ability to manage errors and thus

consequently avoid accidents , let 's have a look at what makes aproductive system and the reason why productive systems break down . Theaviation industry can be viewed as a complex system whose primary outputis the safe conduct of flight operations regardless of whether it is fortransportation , recreation or national defense (Wiegmann Shappell ,2003 . One of the key elements that make the system productive is theactivity of its front line operators (pilots in the case of aviation ) -such activities should be an effective integration of human andmechanical factors within the system .In the aviation industry , productive activities can only occur if theequipment are well-maintained and reliable , and the workforce ,well-trained . Furthermore , efficientHuman Factors in Aviation Accidents 3supervision and effective management results to correct decisions beingmade (Wiegmann Shappell , 2003 . Such decisions are usually a resultof careful assessment of social , economic and political factors thataffect the industry , and an open feedback line between managers andworkers within the system . Most of the time a productive system such asthis works quite well , but at certain times some things are overlooked

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and what is thought to be a highly organized system breaks down .A productive system includes in its structure defences , barriers andsafeguards that ensure the safety of its members and its assets . In theaviation 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 . Thedefensive layers are not actually perfect and they can be viewed asslices of Swiss cheese having many holes in it . Ordinarily , the holesopen , close...