Thread and Error Management
Thread and Error Management
Thread and Error Management
James Klinect
The University of Texas Human Factors Research Project
IFALPA Caribbean / South America Regional Conference November 19th, 1999
Presentation Outline
Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA): Data source for threat and error
General LOSA results Behavioral markers Summary The value of threat and error management
Error
Error Response
Error Outcome
An Overlooked Concept
External Threats safety threatening events that originate outside of the cockpit
Adverse Weather Terrain Aircraft malfunctions Poor airport conditions Abnormal operations Operational pressures ATC event or error Maintenance event or error Ground event or error Dispatch event or error Cabin event or error
Inconsequential
Error
Error Response
Error Outcome
Incident Reports
Problems 1. Reports are subjective, first person accounts 2. Retrospective data
Need objective data that highlight both effective and ineffective threat and error management
Measures:
External threats and their management Flight crew errors and their management CRM behavioral markers Pilot suggestions through interviews Latent system failures
LOSA Demographics
Data taken from three airlines
184 flight crews 314 flight segments
External Threats
Cruise
Descent / Approach / Land Taxi / Park
10%
39% 1%
Terrain Adverse weather ATC events and errors
Summary - External threats in the pre-departure phase are much different than those in the most threatening phase (descent / approach / land)
Inconsequential
Error
Error Response
Error Outcome
Takeoff / Climb
Cruise Descent / Approach / Land Taxi / Park
28%
10% 39% 1%
24%
12% 39% 2%
Summary - The most threatening phase (descent / approach / land) also contains the most error
Inconsequential
Error Outcome
Error Types
1. Intentional Noncompliance violations
Error Frequencies
Noncompliance Procedural Communication Proficiency Decision 0
6 5 6 29 54
20
40
60
80
100
Percent Frequency
Summary Willful violations (intentional noncompliance errors) are the most frequently observed errors
Inconsequential
Error
Error Outcome
Error Responses
Trap 36% of all error responses
Error is successfully detected and managed
Exacerbate 11%
Error is detected but mismanaged to produce a consequential outcome
Inconsequential
Error
Recovery
Additional Error
Error Outcomes
Inconsequential 85% of all errors
Consequential Outcomes 15% of all errors Additional Error 3% Undesired Aircraft States 12%
20
40
60
80
100
Percent Consequential
Percent Frequency
Summary Proficiency and decision errors are the most difficult to manage
Inconsequential
Recovery
Error Response Undesired Aircraft State Undesired Aircraft State Response Mitigate Exacerbate Fail to Respond
Additional Error
Behavioral Markers
After conducting observations on 3800 flights across seven airlines......
Fifteen behavioral markers have been determined to be the most relevant in threat and error management The fifteen markers can be divided into four groups
1. 2. 3. 4. Team Climate Planning Execution Review / Modify
Communication Environment
Environment for open communication was established and maintained
Contingency Planning
Crew members developed strategies to manage threats before they encountered them
Workload Assignment
Roles and responsibilities were defined for normal and non-normal situations
Plans Stated
Operational plans and decisions were communicated and acknowledged by other crew members
Workload Management
Operational tasks were prioritized and properly managed to handle primary flight duties
Vigilance
Crew members remained alert of the environment, safety threats and the progression of the flight
Automation Management
Automation was managed to balance situational and/or workload requirements
Inquiry
Crew members asked questions to investigate and/or clarify current plans
Assertiveness
Crew members stated critical information and/or solutions with the appropriate persistence
Adaptability
Existing plans were altered under contingency situations in a timely manner
Inconsequential
Recovery
Error Response
Additional Error
Encourages the examination of system defenses that help flight crews manage threat and error
Aircraft design, technology, and manufacturing Regulations and procedures
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