A CHAIN OF EVENTS

A Chain of Events



Abstract

Air travel is the major long distance and oversea transportation system in the world. It increases the pace of continental business trade and travel, and consequently becomes a catalyst of the global economy. The waxing and waning of the strength of a country's aviation industry is general closely bound up with its domestic and foreign interaction environment, and partly represents the comprehensive performance of national influence. It is also obvious that the safety level of the domestic air transportation industry is sufficient to depict the maturity and state of development of each nation. Since aviation accidents can result in huge financial losses and human tragedies, fatal accidents have became critical issues to nations and have evoked much public attention. From the first flight in 1903, flight safety has been studied for most of the subsequent one hundred years. From aerodynamics, structure theories to advanced concepts of equipment redundancy; from naive to mature, the aviation industry has reached the accomplishment of improving flight safety in the last century. However, according to the annual statistics report of the Federal National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there were 39 accidents for U.S. air carriers in 2005. This number illustrated that the risk of flight constantly exists. Therefore the continuing challenge of flight safety is still a major concern and becomes an endless marathon for aviation industry. In this paper, we try to focus on the Human Factors. The paper discussed breakdown of Human Factors, specifically: communication, leadership, decision making, assertiveness, and situational awareness leads to the crash and loss aircraft. The paper, discussed the reason behind such mishaps. The paper gives the recommendations for future.



A Chain of Events

Introduction

As aviation systems have become more reliable and capable, they have become more complex. This complexity challenges the human in the system in his or her ability to interact with and control the system and operate it error free. Within the world of flight, one mistake or slip can cost money and, more importantly, lives. Given the endemic nature of human error, there are two options to coping with it. The first alternative is to design it out of the system completely. The second option is to design the system to a level so that the occurrence and impact of the errors are minimized. Although efforts to automate the human out of the system are underway, the day when there will be no human involvement within these systems is in the distant future. For instance, in the industry of aviation, although closer now to eliminating the need for human involvement within air traffic control, it is still highly unlikely the pilot will be completely removed from the cockpit. Even the use of auto-pilot requires much input from the human pilot.

Thesis Statement

Human Factors, specifically: communication, leadership, decision making, assertiveness, and situational awareness leads to the crash and loss aircraft.

Discussion

The Wright brothers succeeded in completing the first human flight in 1903. In the century since that eventful flight, air travel ...