The Human Factor in Aircraft Accidents

Extract

Recently published statistics give the impression that an excessively high percentage of non-carrier aircraft accidents investigated during 1948 were primarily due to human error. Further, an examination of available data covering the past decade gives the same impression in respect of all aircraft accidents occurring during that period. The figures quoted convey in fact the unpalatable implication that, although in nearly a half century of aviation great strides have apparently been made in increasing the reliability of the aeroplane, very little has been accomplished in reducing the element of human error in aircraft accidents. Why is this?

It has been claimed that the possibility of accidents in flying is inevitable by reason of the inherent conditions of flying which necessitate, besides reliance on the technical factor, considerable reliance upon the skill, judgment, memory, and physical and psychological conditions of the human being.