Human factors is understanding how human behavior and characteristics contribute to

an outcome for a given situation. Human factors involves gathering research specific to
certain situations (i.e., flight, maintenance, stress levels, knowledge) about human
abilities, limitations, and other characteristics. Then applying this research in tool
design, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments to produce safe,
comfortable, and effective human use (FAA, 2019). Seventy percent of accidents have
been contributed to human factors.
Humans must be able to interact with many components when flying to include weather,
technology, aircraft, and social systems. “Crew resource management (CRM) is the
ability for flight crews to be able to use all available resources: human resources,
hardware, and information supporting ADM to facilitate crew cooperation and improve
decision-making” (FAA, 2019, p. 2-11).
Challenges faced with CRM involving human factors are the result of failures in
leadership and teamwork. In 1982 Air Florida departed Washington National Airport on
a winter day. The ice sensor caused the air speed indicator to read faster than actual,
which lead the captain to apply little power as the airplane climbed. The first officer
expressed his concerns that something was not right. The captain disregarded his
concern saying that everything is alright. Due to the captain muting his first officer, it led
to the airplane stalling and crashing into the Potomac River bridge killing five people
(American Psychological Association, 2014).  
References
American Psychological Association. (2014, February). Making air travel safer through
crew resource management.
https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/action/resources/research-in-action/crew  (Link
s to an external site.)
Federal Aviation Administration [FAA]. (2019). Pilot's handbook of aeronautical
knowledge: FAA-H-8083-25B: (FAA handbooks series).