Analyzing Past Mishaps to Explore Safety Considerations within a Live-Virtual-Constructive Environment

Abstract

The U.S. Navy is investigating safety issues inherent to adding Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) training functions to cockpits of F/A-18 aircraft. The current study examined previously investigated air combat training mishaps to identify common causal factors that may be exacerbated or mitigated within the LVC training environment. That is, by understanding the factors contributing to past mishaps, we can consider whether those similar factors might interact negatively with LVC technology to degrade safety in training exercises. A total of 167 relevant mishap summaries were collected and analyzed using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). The majority of mishaps occurred unintentionally through skill-based errors (n = 115) and decision errors (n = 102). Additionally, adverse mental states (n = 43), and communication coordination (n = 56) accounted for the majority of the mishaps under preconditions for unsafe acts. Lastly, at the supervisory and organizational level of the HFACS taxonomy, inadequate supervision (n = 32) and organizational process (n = 13) accounted for a high number of the mishaps. A sub-categorical analysis revealed the majority of incidents occurred by means of poor in-flight planning and loss of situation awareness. These results will facilitate the safety of introducing LVC training by highlighting factors that tend to contribute to mishaps so that they can be monitored during the transition.