School of Engineering (SoE)

Permanent URI for this community

https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/16

Browse

Browsing School of Engineering (SoE) by Subject "Accident Investigation"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Breaking the chain: An empirical analysis of accident causal factors by human factors analysis and classification system
    (2006-09-14T00:00:00Z) Li, Wen-Chin; Harris, Don
    This research analyzed 523 accidents in the R.O.C. Air Force between 1978 and 2002 using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework described by Wiegmann & Shappell (2003). This study provides an understanding, based upon empirical evidence, of how actions and decisions at higher levels in the organization to result in operational errors and accidents. Suggestions are made about intervention strategies focusing on the categories at higher levels of HFACS. Specific targets for remedial safety actions should be aimed in the areas that share the strongest and greatest number of significant associations with ‘Organizational Influences’ (for example, ‘organizational process’, ‘inadequate supervision’ and ‘Crew Resource Management’). The greatest gains in safety benefit could be achieved by targeting these areas. Furthermore, this study also demonstrates that the HFACS framework is a useful tool for guiding accident investigations and for targeting potentially cost-effective remedial safety actions for breaking the chain of accidents.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Measuring the independence of aircraft accident investigation authorities in ICAO Member States
    (Cranfield University, 2013-08) Alsrisari, Sami Mohammed; Braithwaite, Graham R.
    This project examines the safety management of civil aircraft accident investigation authorities in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Member States, with particular emphasis on the independence of the investigations. The research aims to establish the current level of resources and methodology adopted by Member States’ accident investigation authorities. The output of this work not only identifies the current situation but informs initiatives for some of the States in the process of establishing their investigation capability. ICAO Annex 13 was analysed and found to be based on the principle of independent accident investigations. Also, a four dimensional measuring index (4DMI) has been developed to measure the independence of accident investigations in ICAO Member States. Data were collected from 45 States and are presented in the thesis. As a result of applying the 4DMI to the collected data, the States were ranked according to their scores, and divided into four categories of independence. Analysis of the four categories and the scores from the four dimensions revealed that States approach the concept of investigation independence in different ways; however, there are several practices that are common within the highest independence category and several other practices that are common within the lowest independence category. The research recommends that States should work towards improving their overall investigation independence by implementing the seven identified practices in the High-Independence category and distance themselves from the five practices identified as common in the Low-Independence category.