PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS IN ARMY AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT CAUSATION
Abstract
OF THE 1063 MAJOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS EXPERIENCED BY THE Army during the period 1 July 195730 June 1960, 961 of these accidents indicated unsafe acts by operators, supervisors, or maintenance personnel. The findings indicate a significant proportion of the unsafe acts (85%) were committed by the aircraft operator (pilot). The findings further indicate that physiological factors were involved in approximately 8% of all major accidents, and 10% of all pilot factor accidents. Flight Surgeon Reports of Army Aircraft Accidents mentioned 130 physiological factors present, to one degree or another, in 88 major accidents. Frequency of physiological factors which were either established or suspected in accident causation indicate four conditions which should be noted. These are: (1) Disorientation, (2) Fatigue, (3) Visual Misperceptions, (4) Dietary deficiencies. Disorientation, fatigue, and visual misperceptions appear to be approximately three times more likely during rotary wing flight as compared to conventional fixed wing flight.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0256510