THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FLIGHT OPERATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS; THE APPLICATION OF THE HUMAN FACTOR ANALYSIS AND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

Aviation history is replete with lessons learned from accidents. Aircraft accidents have greatly contributed to the formation of aviation laws. Analysis conducted after accidents are the first steps taken for the prevention of further accidents. Accident analyses are carried out by the countries' accident investigation board where the accident happened or the one where the airline is registered. Several models are used in the analysis of accidents. One of these models, The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System was put forward by Shappell and Wiegmann after examining more than 2,000 accidents. This system is based on Reason's Swiss Cheese Model and, therefore, also the Domino Theory. According to The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System, the cause of accidents consists of 4 levels of factors that affect each other. These are: organizational influences, unsafe management, preconditions for unsafe acts and unsafe acts. Although an accident may seem to be caused by unsafe acts, behind the accident there are many causes extend from the managers to organizations. In this study, the databases of different countries' accident investigation boards were studied and the official accident reports of planned and commercial passenger flights were examined. These reports were analyzed and coded according to the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System. As a result, the size and scope of the relationships between organizational influences and unsafe acts that led to the accidents were revealed.