Management And Analysis Of Maintenance Human Factors And Human Errors For The Improvement And Development Of Aviation Safety

[Name of the Institute]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT2

DECLARATION3

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND FUNDEMENTAL STUDIES6

Importance of Research in Aviation Industry6

What is Human Factor?8

Human Factors Elements8

How human factor affects aviation safety10

Background of the research and identifying the problem13

Research background13

Problem Statement14

Aims and Objective of the Research15

Research Methodology and Thesis Structure16

Research Methodology16

Research Method and Design17

CHAPTER 2: ANALYSIS OF HUMAN ERRORS19

What is Human error in Aviation?20

Types of human error21

Context of Human Error22

Error Chains22

Taxonomies of Human Error24

Human Errors in Saudi Airlines26

The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System27

Unsafe Acts27

Errors28

Violations32

Management of Social and Physical Environment33

Impact of the Physical Environment on Knowledge Worker Performance33

Organizational Culture in Saudi Arabia36

History of Aviation Accidents Caused by Maintenance Human Errors40

Korean airlines flight 801: august 6th, 1997. Agana, guam40

Eastern airlines flight 401: December 29th, 1972. Everglades, near Miami, fl41

Avianca airlines flight 052: January 25th, 1990. Cove neck, ny42

Corrective and Preventive Actions42

Ergonomics and Systems Design Perspective42

Aero medical Perspective44

CHAPTER THREE: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS47

The Benefits of Automation and Using Advanced Technology47

The Definition of Automation48

Computerization In Aviation Maintenance And New Technology Systems48

Innovative and Interactive Projects52

Smart Z53

Digit Toolbox53

CHAPTER FOUR: CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK54

Research Conclusion54

Research Challenges55

Future Work: Recommendations and Suggestions56

REFERENCES60

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND FUNDEMENTAL STUDIES

Importance of Research in Aviation Industry

The Chernobyl accident, in the late '80s, triggered interest in safety management systems, and 'safety culture' became the most-talked-about term in high-tech and high-risk endeavors. It also accentuated that safety management systems alone will not ensure safety: pro-safety organizational cultural processes are critical in maximizing their effectiveness (Dobrev, 2003, pp.264). This poses a major challenge for managers and owner-operators to create unique organizations with a type of safety culture that is capable of achieving zero accidents. A similar challenge is faced by regulators with regard to monitoring compliance in highly regulated environments such as aviation.

This raises a critical question about the existing methodologies of monitoring and assessing safety through internal and external auditing systems. Should the focus be on safety management systems related 'paperwork' or on 'actual practices' described by employees at the sharp end? A similar convoluted task is also faced by researchers with regard to measurement of safety culture (Drury, 2004, pp. 26). Should the focus be on 'psychological' aspects, such as attitudes and values about safety, or on 'practices' and associated factors that lead to either a good or a lax safety culture?

It is common knowledge that in hightech, high-risk and highly regulated environments, such as aviation, safety culture plays a major role in ensuring safety. There is a multitude of definitions of the term 'safety ...