Survey of human factors in unmanned aerial vehicle accidents

Abstract

Objective To review the roles of human factors played in the US military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) accidents and the targeted preventive measures. Literature resource and selection Related published literatures and information on internet in this field. Literature quotation Twenty-seven references were cited. Literature synthesis Based on the brief introduction of the development of military UAV and the issues related to human factors,the human factors related UAV accidents of US Army,Navy and Air Force in past 15 years were reviewed.The undergoing and proposed prevention researches in the field were introduced and concluded. Conclusions Military UAV is at a stage of rapid development.In the UAV accidents the human factors have a significant share that related to ergonomics,psychology and physiology of operator,as well as to personnel selection,training and management.The domestic work in this area is still blank.Learning lessons,benefiting from research findings and stressing the human factors in the design and application would be helpful to reduce military UAV accidents and to promote its development in China. Key words: Aircraft; Accident, aviation; Ergonomics; Psychology; Human factors