Assignment – Research Topics vs. Research Questions
Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry
Abstract
The Journal of Safety Research is what I have come across and it caught my eye, therefore I have decided to
take it as my article of choice for this assignment. Titled: An Analysis of Human Factors in Fifty Controlled
Flight into Terrain Aviation Accidents from 2007 to 2017 (Kelly & Efthymiou, 2019), it aims to carry out
research, with reference to human factors identification frameworks like the Human Factors Analysis and
Classification System (HFACS) on how human factors have attributed as the major contributing factors in the
accidents and incidents it focuses on, listed in the journal. This short narrative will aim to address the research
topic, research problem and research questions posed by this journal.
Introduction
The journal begins with the introduction of Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) accidents that have occurred
between 2007 and 2017 that were attributed to human error. The aim was to find the human errors that have
contributed to these CFIT accidents, inclusive of causal and contributory factors. Interviews with industry
safety experts were carried out to support the findings, which found a total of 1289 individual human factors
with underlying preconditions and actions that were unsafe which led to the accidents (Kelly & Efthymiou,
2019). Some of the recommended actions concluded in this study include CFIT awareness, increased pilot
training on basic flying skills as well as decision-making, along with the development of Global Positioning
System (GPS) routes in high terrain areas to prevent further CFIT accidents from occurring (Kelly & Efthymiou,
2019).
Research Topic
The research topic involved with this journal is to identify what are the human factors that have led to the
accidents or incidents named in the paper. Aside from identifying these factors, the research journal was
produced to address the issue and importance of not coming up with recommendations to prevent future
occurrences.
Research Problem
As mentioned in the journal, human errors are nearly impossible to avoid when it comes to the safe operation
of complex systems, in this case aircraft (Reason, 1995). This implies that no matter what the mitigating
measures that are put in place, eventually accidents can never be avoided, just that the frequency of
occurrences can be reduced by addressing the human factors involved, such as fatigue, lack of awareness and
distractions, to name a few from Dupont’s Dirty Dozen model (ICAO, 1993, Skybrary, n.d.). As far as possible,
the urgency is apparent to avoid more CFIT accidents caused by human factors as the loss of life is
devastating.
Research Questions
By analysing the journal, research questions could be identified as below.
-
“What are the causal or contributory human factors that have led to the CFIT accidents outlined in the
journal?”
This question was addressed by the use of the various human factors frameworks like the Human Factors
Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) model and Systems Theoretic Accident Modelling and Processes
(STAMP).
-
“Will it be possible to mitigate the effect of human factors by identifying underlying issues, to prevent
future CFIT accidents from occurring again?”
This question was addressed by identifying latent failures in systems that were put in place to prevent
accidents using the frameworks above. For instance, the HFACS model was used to classify these problems
into unsafe acts, preconditions for unsafe acts, supervisory factors and organizational influences (Kelly &
Efthymiou, 2019). Breaking down these factors can assist organizations to look at the finer details which can
cause accidents, therefore produce corrective actions preventively.
Conclusion
To end off, the journal has been instrumental in identifying human factors which have led to CFIT accidents,
and the requirements to prevent them from occurring again. By identifying the Research topic, problem and
questions in the journal, one comes to realise the importance and severity of the consequences that would
arise if these human factors issues are not addressed. The use of improved or more thorough pilot training in
areas like basic flying skills, Crew Resource Management (CRM) and decision-making can help improve safety
on the flight deck.
References
Damien Kelly, Marina Efthymiou, (2019), An analysis of human factors in fifty controlled flight into terrain
aviation accidents from 2007 to 2017. Journal of Safety Research, Volume 69, Pages 155-165, ISSN
0022-4375, available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2019.03.009.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022437518308405)
International Civil Aviation Organisation. (1993). Human factors digest No. 7: investigation of human factors in
accidents and incidents.
SKYbrary Aviation Safety. n.d. The Human Factors "Dirty Dozen". Available at:
https://skybrary.aero/articles/human-factors-dirty-dozen