Why Is There a Need for Written Assessment?

Hyungwoo Jo
The written assessment is necessary to save and analyze the data for its improvement.
We can also examine the data, and the written assessment record can come up later when the
case goes to trial or is being studied for the further analysis. For instance, the aviation
industry can represent the example of the need for the written assessment.
Firstly, when it comes to an aviation incident, the written assessment is a must to
clearly identify the problem; therefore, the data needs to be collected and assessed. Moreover,
by making the written assessment, we can further research the record and obtain another data
which enables us to examine the different modes of flight simulations to train the future pilots
and minimize the accident rate.
Secondly, we can be aware of the past accident background posted online through the
written assessment. For instance, pilots make a written assessment when an incident occurs
during the flight. Air Flight 3407 of Continental Airlines was one of the historical flight
accidents that created a new aviation policy in the United States. It was a scheduled passenger
flight from Newark to New York, which crashed on February 12, 2009, in the United States.
The aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall from which it did not recover and ended up
crashing into a house in Clarence Center, New York. The fatalities were reported as all forty-
nine passengers with the crew members on board, as well as one person inside the house.
Thirdly, the written assessment can be used when the case goes to trial or is analyzed.
The National Transportation Safety Board conducted the Air Flight 3407 accident
investigation and announced the final report on February 2, 2010, which found that the
probable cause could be the pilots’ improper stall recovery. After the official announcement,
families of the accident victims continued requesting for the scrutiny of U.S. Congress to
enact the aviation regulations for regional carriers of the safe operating procedures. This
incident became a trigger bringing up the 1,500 flight hours requirement to become a pilot of
the regional airlines in the United States under the policy of Airline Safety and Federal
Aviation Administration.
Lastly, we can also identify the problem and utilize the assessment in the aviation
education. During the flight, the flight data recorder indicated that the captain extended flaps
to 15 degrees and decreased airspeed to 135 knots from 145 knots. Six seconds later, the
aircraft’s stick shaker activated with the warning of an impending stall as the airspeed
continued to slow down. The captain responded abruptly pulling back the control yoke and
increased the thrust to 75% power, instead of the proper recovery procedure: lowering the
aircraft nose and applying the full power. Furthermore, the first officer retracted the flaps
without consulting the captain, making the recovery even more difficult; flaps help aircraft
increase the lift force. Consequently, the aircraft became much harder to sustain its weight
since the flaps were retracted, making the stall occur sooner. This data provides student pilots
the importance of proficiency and communication between the captain and the first officer.
Taken altogether, the Federal Aviation Administration documented the data with the
start of the written assessment. They recorded the data and analyzed the accident to prevent
another disaster that may happen by another novice pilots. The written assessment of the
accident was officially published, and it is being used in training the student pilots as well as
current pilots as an example which we hope would never happen again. Again, we have to
remember that the written assessment of the incident was crucial for those who have grieved
by the loss of someone that they deeply loved.