HUMAN ERRORS IN AVIATION
for
Thomas Swartz
Technical Communication Instructor
Central Michigan University
by
Shahan Silva
IME 1020 Student
Submitted March 20, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………….………..3
INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………..4
Definitions and Background…………………………………….…………………………..…..4
Purpose and Audience……………………………………………….……………………………..4
Sources………………………………………………………………………………………….…5
Working Definitions………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Limitations………………………………………………….……………………….……..…….6
Scope………………………………………………..………………………………….………….6
COLLECTED DATA………………………………………………………….….………… 6
Effect of Human Error in Aviation…………………………………..…………………. 6
The 3 main types of human error which causes aviation accidents……………….4
Aviation Psychology………………………………………………………………..
Factors of human error…………………………………………………………….
Reduction of Human Error in Aviation
Improving human error in the flight……………………………………………….
Improvement of aircraft maintenance………………………………………………
LOSA……………………………………………………………… ……………….
CONCLUSION
Summary……………………………………………………………………………
Interpretation of Findings…………………………………………………………
Recommendations………………………………………………………………….
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………...
ABSTRACT
To this day, the majority of aviation accidents are attributed in some way, to some form of
human error. It has been calculated that 70-80% of critical accidents were due to human error.
The main human errors in aviation are caused by pilots, maintenance and ATC. Aviation
psychology has explained how and why pilots contribute to human error. There are 8 factors
which cause human errors. Many airline companies and government aviation associations have
made several solutions to reduce pilot error and maintenance errors.
INTRODUCTION
Definition and Background
Human error is the primary cause of a large fraction of aircraft accidents. It can be due to
errors made by pilots, maintenance or ground controllers. Human error may take many forms,
from gross displays of bad airmanship to unconscious errors which can be contributed to fatigue
or to unconscious perceptual errors. When human error is identified as the primary or
contributory cause of an accident, our concern is not to fix blame, but to identify corrective
actions which can be taken in training or procedures to reduce the likelihood of similar accidents
in the future.
Human factors involves gathering information about human abilities, limitations, and other
characteristics and applying it to tools, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments to
produce safe, comfortable, and effective human use. In aviation, human factors are dedicated to
better understanding how humans can most safely and efficiently be integrated with technology.
That understanding is then translated into design, training, policies, or procedures to help humans
perform better.
Purpose and Audience
The purpose of this research paper is to show how human error is a major issue for
aviation. It also discusses the steps manufacturers and aviation administrations around the world
are taking to reduce accidents caused by human error. The primary audience I’m targeting for my
paper are pilots and maintenance crews, however this paper will be useful for anyone in the
aviation field and also for general readers.
Sources
Most of the sources are scholarly journal articles which were found online through WMU
specialized databases such as ProQuest, Engineering village and ScienceDirect. One article is
taken from the FAA website.
Working Definition
Few terms in the paper that the reader may not be familiar with include:
FAA – (Federal Aviation Administration) Is the national aviation authority of the United States.
ATC – (Air traffic Controller) The people trained to maintain the safe, orderly and expeditious
