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Human factors analysis and classification system applied to civil aircraft accidents in India.
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2005
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The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is widely accepted for classifying human factors in aircraft accidents and incidents. The study aimed to ascertain the practicability of applying HFACS to existing civil aircraft accident investigation reports and to analyze trends in human factor causes. The authors examined DGCA civil aircraft accident reports from 1990–1999. Among 48 evaluated civil aircraft accidents (of 83 in 1990–1999), 77.1% involved human factors, with skill‑based and decision errors most common, violations in 33.3%, preconditions in 47.9%, and a notably high 52.1% attributable to organizational influences—an unprecedented proportion that signals a need for remedial action in Indian civil aviation.
The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) has gained wide acceptance as a tool to classify human factors in aircraft accidents and incidents. This study on application of HFACS to civil aircraft accident reports at Directorate General Civil of Aviation (DGCA), India, was conducted to ascertain the practicability of applying HFACS to existing investigation reports and to analyze the trends of human factor causes of civil aircraft accidents.Accident investigation reports held at DGCA, New Delhi, for the period 1990--99 were scrutinized. In all, 83 accidents occurred during this period, of which 48 accident reports were evaluated in this study.One or more human factors contributed to 37 of the 48 (77.1%) accidents. The commonest unsafe act was 'skill based errors' followed by 'decision errors. Violations of laid down rules were contributory in 16 cases (33.3%). 'Preconditions for unsafe acts' were seen in 23 of the 48 cases (47.9%). A fairly large number (52.1%) had 'organizational influences' contributing to the accident.These results are in consonance with larger studies of accidents in the U.S. Navy and general aviation. Such a high percentage of 'organizational influences' has not been reported in other studies. This is a healthy sign for Indian civil aviation, provided effective remedial action for the same is undertaken.