Human Error and Commercial Aviation Accidents: A Comprehensive, Fine-Grained Analysis Using HFACS

Abstract

The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is a theoretically based tool for investigating and analyzing human error associated with accidents and incidents. Previous research has shown that HFACS can be reliably used to identify general trends in the human factors associated with military and general aviation accidents. The aim of this study was to extend previous examinations of aviation accidents to include specific aircrew, environmental, supervisory, and organizational factors associated with 14 CFR Part 121 (Air Carrier Operations) and 14 CFR Part 135 (Commuter/Air Taxi Operations) accidents using HFACS. The majority of causal factors were attributed to the aircrew and the environment, with decidedly fewer associated with supervisory and organizational causes. Comparisons were made between HFACS categories and traditional situational variables such as weather, lighting, and geographic region. Recommendations were made based on the HFACS findings presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA463865

Entities

People

  • Albert J. Boquet
  • Carla A. Hackworth
  • Cristy A. Detwiler
  • Douglas A. Wiegmann
  • Kali A. Holcomb
  • Scott A. Shappell

Organizations

  • Federal Aviation Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accident Investigations
  • Accidents
  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Aviation Accidents
  • Aviation Safety
  • Civil Aviation
  • Commercial Aviation
  • Management Training
  • Neurobehavioral Manifestations
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • Resource Management
  • Risk
  • Training
  • United States

Readers

  • Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
  • Organizational Psychology.
  • Regression Analysis.