From latent failure to active failure: The investigation of human errors in aviation operation

Wen Chin Li, Don Harris

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceedingpeer-review

Abstract

The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS, Wiegmann & Shappell, 2003) was developed as an analytical framework for the investigation of the role of human factors in aviation accidents. HFACS is based upon Reason's model (1990) of human error in which active failures are associated with the performance of front -line operators in complex systems and latent failures are characterized as inadequacies which lie dormant within a system for a long time, and are only trigge red when combined with other factors to breach the system's defenses. In this research HFACS was used to analyze accidents occurring in civil aviation aircraft in the Republic of China (ROC). Fo rty-one accident reports from the Aviation Safety Council (A SC) were analyzed. Relationships in the HFACS framework were identified linking fallible decisions at higher (organizational) levels with supervisory practices, thereby creating the preconditions for unsafe acts and hence indirectly impairing the performa nce of pilots.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication51st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2007
Pages1425-1429
Number of pages5
Volume3
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
Event51st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2007 - Baltimore, MD, United States
Duration: 1 Oct 20075 Oct 2007

Conference

Conference51st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2007
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBaltimore, MD
Period1/10/075/10/07

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human Factors and Ergonomics

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