Professional Documents
Culture Documents
technologies continue to advance and evolve the FAA must be either be on their toes to
new changes or implement future proof techniques that will ensure lasting safety. The
largest cause of accidents in the aviation industry is human error, and because of that I
believe the importance of focusing systems that educate pilots and crew are the most
important. Not only based on its human focus but also because of IMAIR’s
psychological element i think it is a great model to frame this paper upon. IMAIR is and
acronym developed by the FAA and released as an advisory circular that identifies the 5
hazardous attitudes can be subtle but powerful influencers that can affect
safe flights. The macho attitude involves a desire to prove oneself and take
They might not be immediately obvious, but their impact can be dire. By evaluating
real-life stories investigated by the NTSB, we can understand the nuances of how these
attitudes unfold in the high-stakes environment of aviation. Each attitude has a unique
risk, and as we dissect incidents, I aim to demonstrate the value of why addressing
these attitudes is not just a rule but a shift, fundamentally, toward a culture that
In the tragic case of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 in 1972, impulsivity played a
Airport, the cockpit crew became fixated on a malfunctioning landing gear indicator
light. While attempting to troubleshoot the issue, the crew became engrossed in the
problem, neglecting their primary task of monitoring the aircraft's altitude. In a moment
of impulsive decision-making, they failed to realize that the autopilot had been
accidentally disengaged, causing the aircraft to gradually descend. The crew's fixation
on the gear indicator preoccupied their awareness of the flight instruments, ultimately
resulting in the tragic crash of the aircraft into the Florida Everglades. This example
outlines how impulsivity, even in the pursuit of problem-solving, can lead to a loss of
attitude. In an attempt to defy the winter weather conditions, Captain Larry M. Wheaton
aircraft's wings. The overconfident belief that they could handle the adverse conditions
without adhering to established procedures led to a tragic chain of events. Shortly after
takeoff from Washington National Airport, the Boeing 737 struggled to gain altitude due
to ice accumulation on the wings. The aircraft ultimately crashed into a bridge and then
after into the Potomac River. 13 days later then President Reagan thanked the rescue
personnel that helped the survivors shedding light on the consequences of macho
attitude in the cockpit. This incident emphasizes the necessity of humility, following the
rules, and a realistic assessment to ensure the safety of both crew and passengers.
crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 in 2013. As the Boeing 777's first fatal accident since
its debut, considered one of the safest commercial aircraft, approached San Francisco
International Airport for landing, the crew found themselves confronted with challenging
weather and approach due to runway construction. In the face of these complexities,
the pilot, having an anti-authority mindset, dismissed multiple warnings and failed to
execute a go-around when it became apparent that the approach was unsafe. Their
reluctance to challenge or deviate from their initial planned approach, even when the
situation became obviously unsafe, resulted in a low and slow approach. The aircraft
ended up striking the seawall at the runway threshold, leading to a crash that claimed
American Airlines Flight 587 in 2001. This Airbus A300, departing from John F. Kennedy
International Airport, encountered wake turbulence from a preceding aircraft. The first
inputs exceeded the aircraft's structural limits, leading to the vertical stabilizers to
separate leading to the airplane crashing into Belle Harbor, a neighborhood in Queens,
New York. The invulnerability attitude contributed to a disregard for the potential
consequences of aggressive control inputs, ultimately resulting in the loss of 265 lives.
This tragedy is especially significant due to its proximity in time and distance to the
events in Manhattan just days before on 9-11-01. It is imperative for pilots to recognize
the limits of their aircraft, exercise good decision-making, and avoid actions originating
The tragic circumstances surrounding the crash of Air France Flight 447 in 2009
offer a compelling illustration of the hazardous attitude of resignation. The Airbus A330
inconsistent airspeed readings and disengagement of the autopilot. Faced with these
moment where decisive action was needed, the crew failed to apply appropriate
recovery procedures, ultimately leading to the aircraft's descent into the Atlantic Ocean.
perseverance in the face of adversity, played a significant role in the crew's inability to
recover from the descent. This tragic incident underscores the importance of resilience
emphasizing that resignation can have severe consequences in the complex and
unique set of risks that, if unchecked, can lead to catastrophic consequences. These
examples show the importance of fostering a safety culture within aviation that
mandate but a fundamental shift toward ensuring the well-being of those who we trust
● Wikipedia contributors. "Eastern Air Lines Flight 401." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 9 Dec. 2023. Web. 16 Dec. 2023
● https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-11/AC60-22_Chap%201-3.pdf
● Wikipedia contributors. "Air Florida Flight 90." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia,
The Free Encyclopedia, 4 Dec. 2023. Web. 16 Dec. 2023.
● Wikipedia contributors. "Asiana Airlines Flight 214." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 8 Dec. 2023. Web. 16 Dec. 2023
● Wikipedia contributors. "American Airlines Flight 587." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 9 Dec. 2023. Web. 16 Dec. 2023.
● Wikipedia contributors. "Air France Flight 447." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 14 Dec. 2023. Web. 16 Dec. 2023.