Colton Wallace

Human factors and safety

12/15/2023
Dr. Clarke

Aviation safety is a ever-developing process of investigation and implementation. As

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 that plague pilots (AC 60-22).

hazardous attitudes can be subtle but powerful influencers that can affect

decision-making in the cockpit. Impulsivity manifests as the tendency to act quickly

without thinking through the consequences, potentially leading to hasty choices.

Anti-authority reflects a reluctance to follow rules or listen to authorit, posing a risk to

safe flights. The macho attitude involves a desire to prove oneself and take

unnecessary risks, introducing an element of bravado that compromises

decision-making. Resignation represents a mindset of giving up too easily in the face of

challenges, lacking the perseverance required for effective problem-solving. Finally,

invulnerability gives one a false sense of immunity to accidents or potentially inviting

complacency and neglect. Recognizing and addressing these hazardous attitudes is a

keystone to fostering a culture of safety within aviation.

We can consider these hazardous attitudes as currents beneath the surface.

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

prioritizes safety in aviation.

In the tragic case of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 in 1972, impulsivity played a

central role in leading to a catastrophe. As the flight approached Miami International

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

situational awareness and have dire consequences in aviation.

The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 in 1982 provides an excellent example of the Macho

attitude. In an attempt to defy the winter weather conditions, Captain Larry M. Wheaton

displayed a machismo by disregarding guidelines and failing to adequately deice the

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.

Anti-authority unveiled it ugly face in the tragic circumstances surrounding the

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

three lives and injured many more.

 The hazardous attitude of invulnerability manifested in the ill-fated crash of

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

officer, influenced by an invulnerability mindset, excessively manipulated the rudder

controls in an attempt to counteract the turbulence. Unfortunately, the excessive rudder

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

from a sense of invincibility that can compromise flight safety.

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

en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris encountered severe weather, leading to

inconsistent airspeed readings and disengagement of the autopilot. Faced with these

challenging conditions, the crew seemed to exhibit a sense of resignation. In a critical

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.

The resignation attitude, marked by a lack of proactive problem-solving and

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

and aggressive decision-making in overcoming unexpected challenges during flight,

emphasizing that resignation can have severe consequences in the complex and

dynamic environment of aviation.

In conclusion, the examination of real-life aviation incidents vividly illustrates the

profound impact of hazardous attitudes on flight safety. From impulsivity to

anti-authority, macho bravado, resignation, and invulnerability, each attitude presents a

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

prioritizes human factors, communication, and proactive decision-making. As we reflect,

it becomes evident that addressing hazardous attitudes is not merely a regulatory

mandate but a fundamental shift toward ensuring the well-being of those who we trust

to fly in our skies.

By learning from these sobering accidents, aviators can work collaboratively to

mitigate the influence of these attitudes by promoting a culture that embraces

resilience, adaptability, and commitment to the highest standards of safety.

Citations

● 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.