The Influence of Human Factor in Aircraft Maintenance
Abstract
Human factor is one of the safety barriers which is used in order to prevent accidents or incidents of aircraft. Therefore, the question is to which extent the error caused by human factor is included into the share of errors that are made
during aircraft maintenance. In the EASA approved aircraft maintenance organisation, which includes in its working system the human factor as well, the tendency is to apply the approach by continuous monitoring and analysis of errors in aircraft maintenance. Such approach achieves advance prevention or reduction of the occurrence of harmful events, such as accidents, incidents, injuries and in a wider sense damages related to aircraft operation and maintenance. The research presented in this paper is a result of gathering and systematization of errors caused by human factors over the last five years in one organisation for aircraft maintenance certified according to the European standards. The study encompasses an analysis of 28 (twenty-eight) investigations of individual cases and provides insight into the main factors of errors. The results of analyses on the cause of occurrence of human error show similar results like the Boeing study which was carried out for the world fleet.
References
Ogden KW. Human Factors in Traffic Engineering, ITE Journal. 1990 Aug;41-46.
Švetak J. Human Factors in Marine Casualties. Promet – Traffic – Traffico. 2002;14(3):103-110.
Baysari MT, McIntosh AS, Wilson JR. Understanding the human factors contribution to railway accidents and incidents in Australia. Accident Analysis & Prevention. 2008 Sep;40(5);1750-1757.
Eurocontrol. Human Factors Module — A Business Case for Human Factors Investment. HUM.ET1. ST13.4000-REP-02. Ed. 1; 1999.
ICAO. Human Factor Guidelines for Aircraft Maintenance Manual. Doc 9824-AN/450. Montreal; Manchester: International Civil Aviation Organisation; 2003.
Federal Aviation Administration. Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). Advisory Circular No-120-66B; 2002. Federal Aviation Administration. Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – General, Chapter 14: Human Factors. Available from: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/media/AMT_Handbook_Addendum_Human_Factors.pdf [Accessed Sep 2013]
Ishikawa K. Guide to Quality Control. Tokyo, Japan: Asian Productivity Organisation; 1986.
Rankin W. MEDA Investigation Process. Boeing Aeromagazine. 2007;Qtr02(26):15-21. Available from: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/articles/qtr_2_07/AERO_Q207_article3.pdf
Virovac D. A proactive approach model for error reduction in aircraft technical maintenance [Master thesis]. Zagreb: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences; 2010.
Johnson WB, Mason F, Hall S, Watson J. Evaluation of aviation maintenance working environments, fatigue, and human performance; 2001. 44 p. Available from: https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/maintenance_hf/library/documents/media/human_factors_maintenance/evaluation_of_aviation_maintenance_working_environments.fatigue.and_human_performance.pdf
Xavier AJ. Managing Human Factors in Aircraft Maintenance through a Performance Excellence Framework. Hill AFB, UT: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Mar 2005. Available from: http://www.system-safety.com/articles/Xavier%20Thesis.pdf
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).