Human Factor and Pilot Performance: A Case Study on Cockpit Ergonomic and Aviation Psychology

Abstract

Introduction

Human factors—including communication, fatigue, stress, and information flow—play a crucial role in aviation safety. While early aviation risks were mainly mechanical, technological advances have shifted the primary source of accidents to human error. Research shows that 70–80% of aviation accidents are linked to human factors, particularly during critical phases like takeoff and landing.

Key Developments and Findings

• Human Factors Evolution: Initially focused on pilots in the 1960s, human factors research has expanded to include all aviation personnel.

• Psychological Foundations: Aviation psychology draws on various psychological disciplines (e.g., cognitive, engineering, and organizational psychology) to understand and predict human behavior in aviation settings.

• Interdisciplinary Nature: The fields of aviation psychology and human factors are deeply intertwined, often indistinguishable in modern research and practice.

Case Study Example

• The 2003 Air Midwest Flight 5481 crash highlights the dangers of maintenance-related human error when mechanics failed to properly calibrate flight controls, resulting in a fatal stall shortly after takeoff.

Safety Trends and Data

• ICAO data shows the global air travel population grew from 100 million in the 1950s to 4.5 billion in 2019.

• Global accident rates are gradually declining. For example, the accident rate in 2021 was 1.93 per million departures, reflecting improved safety performance.

• Long-term trends suggest a potential approach toward near-zero accident rates by the 2040s.

Dirty Dozen – Key Human Error Triggers

Transport Canada identified 12 common contributors to aviation maintenance errors:

1. Lack of communication

2. Complacency

3. Lack of knowledge

4. Distractions

5. Lack of teamwork

6. Fatigue

7. Lack of resources

8. Pressure

9. Lack of assertiveness

10. Stress

11. Lack of awareness

12. Norms

Global Pilot Error Data

• In 2004, pilot error accounted for:

  • 78.6% of fatal general aviation accidents in the U.S.

  • Over 50% of global commercial aviation accidents.

Other Human Factor Issues

• Issues such as crew miscommunication, air traffic controller error, and poor checklist discipline also contribute to major incidents.

• Team dynamics, situational awareness, and proper training are essential for flight safety.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Prince Chauhan, Vishal , Tushar , Anash Saifi, Keshav Raghav. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.