Aviation HF News

Aviation Human Factors Industry News

The following weekly issues have been generously provided by Roger Hughes, Manager Human Factors, of jetBlue Airways.

They are excellent articles and deal with the all important subject of human factors. Please have a read and let others know of this site.

Check back weekly for the latest news and thanks Roger for sharing this information. Please share it with your fellow workers so we all can be just a bit Safer by learning from others mistakes.

Reading these can help maintain our awareness of Human Factors and remind us that "If we are Human - We also could make the error."

This is into its 4th year (2008)so there is a lot to be learned here.
Gordon

Volume 4 Issue 28 US seeks to improve runway Safety. (Great idea. Traffic lights for aircraft) Kalitta engine fire. (Maintenance or lack of?) NTSB Safety recommendations. (All for these) From nose to tail. (All to easy to do) FAA multimedia tools for human factors presentations. (A real good start and the price is right) American spends $20,000 per minute on jet fuel. (Wow. Won't complain so much when I fill up) and much more
Volume 4 Issue 27 NTSB investigation into Senator Obama airplane. (This could be maintenance) NTSB updates 767 cargo plane fire. (Sure fortunate that it occurred on the ground) Industry threats and Stress. (As the price of oil goes up so does everyone's stress) Conviction denounced. (Great way to encourage persons to hide their errors) Surgeons, pilots trade Safety ideas. (Well worth reading) and lots more as always.
Volume 4 Issue 26 Continental to stand trial for Concorde crash. (That will be a lawyer orgy) Nosegear collapses during towing. (Miscommunication with ground crew that will be very expensive and very avoidable) SMS on horizon in aviation industry. (Done right, it will further lower our accident rate) Workplace. (An interesting article) Napping. (The Power Nap - A must read and heed) and much more.
Volume 4 Issue 25 Maintenance needs Professional Standards. (I agree with John Goglia there) Navy maintenance mishap. (Add bullets to your daily hazards) Ten most tragic celebrity air accidents. (Who can forget the day the music died) Do not mix oxygen & oil. (The picture tells it all) and lots of other great information thanks to Roger and jetBlue
Volume 4 Issue 24 Mechanic dies in engine accident. (Not a good way to end ones career) NWA mechanics at fault in cowl incident. (Why did the pilots continue the flight?) FAA told to address crew fatigue. (Long overdue) Sudan crash probe underway and much more.
Volume 4 Issue 23 B-2 crash caused by waterlogged sensors. ($1.4 Billion $ up in smoke due to a lack of "Tribal knowledge." Lack of Communication at its worse) NTSB recommends Fatigue Management System. (Sure agree there) Airplane heal thyself. (Science Fiction coming true?) FAA progresses toward Safety Management System. (Will the trust be there to make it work?) and lots more.
Volume 4 Issue 22 Air France sues over crash. (The pilot always makes the final decision) Pilot dies after technical fault not reported. (Little things can become big fatal things) 3 AMEs suspended for nosewheel crash. (Must have done it on purpose?) Wanted Aviation Mechanics. (Who like lots of stress and low pay but love airplanes) and lots more. Thanks Roger.
Volume 4 Issue 21 Mishap ruins new chopper. (And someone's career?) 747 crashes on take off. (Lucky no fire or injuries) Tragedy won't be repeated. (Wonderful when we actually learn from our mistakes) And much more
Volume 4 Issue 20 Missing bolt causes nosegear up landing. (Another human error) Navy Maintenance mishap summary. (Forgotten tools are a universal problem) US DOT calls for better FAA/Airline coordination on AD compliance. (Thousands of passengers would agree with that and so would I) Criminalizing air accidents blocks air Safety. Don't let a hospital kill you. (This is a must read) And much more.
Volume 4 Issue 19 Engineers suspended for nosewheel crash. (Not the first time this has happened) Bad wiring caused crash. (A miniature SwissAir?) BA 777 had low fuel pressure. (Now the hard part - Why?) ATC at fault in fatal crash. (They're human too) Airline fined for workplace safety violations and lots more.
Volume 4 Issue 18 AMT day passes house. (One step closer to well deserved reality) Time pressure situation. (Easy to do and easy to prevent) Community service for crash manslaughter. (Appropriate for a non criminal act) Danger on the ground. (With my $200 car GPS accurate within 10 feet why do we have runway incursions?) Safety Medical Organization adopts Aviation methods to reduce errors. (I'm all for that) and a lot more good stuff. Thanks Roger.
Volume 4 Issue 17 Airport failed to spot jet damage. (Unclear manual and inadequate were the contributing factors) Warning issued on planes mechanic fixed. (There's a mechanic in a lot of trouble) Nigeria: Poor aircraft maintenance hinders Aviation Safety. (Corruption doesn't help either) work hassles impact sleep. (Any hassle will) and much more.
Volume 4 Issue 16 Investigators find more faulty wing fasteners. (Maintenance or design fault?) Aileron rigging error missed on preflight. (Missed on the required independent inspection also) Mechanic accused of falsifying records. (1 mechanic - 4 helicopters would require "pencil whipping" IF you wanted them all to fly) Mistakes killed parachutists. No leniency for blatant AD abuse (Define blatant) and much more. Thanks Roger and jetBlue for your hard work preparing this.
Volume 4 Issue 15 French prosecutors want to charge Continental employees with manslaughter. (Revenge or to be seen to be doing something?) Inquiry looks at FAA actions after mechanic killed. NTSB aviation accident statistics. (We now kill more mechanics than passengers) Tire falls from helicopter. (They make cartoons about this) Fatigue can be fatal. Employee killed on ramp. Top 10 most dangerous jobs (Check out # 2 and take up mining)) and much much more.
Volume 4 Issue 14 Mechanic dies. Qantas worker dies. (We work in a dangerous industry where one misstep can be your last) Offside ASRS report. (Maintenance can cause runway incursions as well as pilots) Can airport nightmare happen here? (This is a must read for all Canadians - and I like to think the answer is no) Just Culture system for nurses and much much more.
Volume 4 Issue 13 Classic traps. (The forget the unimportant washer trap) Adam Air final report. (It resembles Eastern Flight 401 all over) Brake problems led to skid. (Crossed wires usually end in unwelcome surprises) Canadian crash court attacks airline culture. (It's always there in the background) Sound effects. (If you snore or know someone who does read this one) and lots more.
Volume 4 Issue 12 Man killed didn't follow the rules. (Rules are there to act as Safety Nets to keep you alive) Pilots possibility asleep during Hawaii flight. (If you are fatigued, eventually you will sleep and it may not be when you want to) NTSB tired of inaction on fatigue. (So am I) Parts left behind. (Maintenance will take a hit for that delay) Toyota develop a jet? (If so it will likely be reliable) and much more.
Volume 4 Issue 11 Crossed wires cause accident. (Easy to do and can be hard to detect) Airline reviews maintenance. (So would I with a 10 million fine hanging over my head) Manslaughter and negligence sentences upheld. (When 118 people die, they just have to blame someone) How to minimize jet lag. (Teleconferencing?) And much more on Fatigue our # 1 enemy and more.
Volume 4 Issue 10 Tissue's the issue. (Amazing how simple things can have grave consequences) Falling piece was aircraft maintenance device. (Just be glad that it didn't kill someone) FAA criticized in report on airplane parts. FAA proposes record $10 million fine. (That's a lot of money for an error that they reported on themselves) Help wanted: Airplane mechanics. (I wonder why?? My son earns more as an auto body repairman and has never had to work midnights) and much more including more info on Fatigue.
Volume 4 Issue 9 DC-9 runs amok. (Not the first time that has happened) Hurry up errors. Jet slides off runway. Venezuela plane crash leaves 46 dead. Pilot fired for buzzing airport. All clear given prematurely. (It was not all clear) Safety procedures not followed. (even trains can kill) and much more.
Volume 4 Issue 8 Poor maintenance causes fatal helicopter crash. (Pity that it so often takes a crash to discover this) Airline suspends pilots who over flew airport. (When the body says you are going to sleep, you will) Qantas Safety record under threat. (This is publicity that no airline wants) Fasten your seatbelt. (Check out the survival seating chart) And a lot more.
Volume 4 Issue 7 ATR accident report. (Stores contributed to this one along with a lot of others) Dangerous planes flew for years. (Maintenance sure contributed to this one) Icing linked to crash. (Way too soon to tell) Demand for better aircraft maintenance. (All for that) Human error causes cruise ship to tilt. (Other forms of transportation have their human error problems as well) More on Fatigue and other useful material.
Volume 4 Issue 6 Worker killed on tarmac. (Another unnecessary loss of life) Aircraft loses engine. (A simple maintenance error proves costly) Aircraft engineer charged with forgery (And so he should be) Four plane wreck at airport. (Sure hope maintenance wasn't involved) and much more. Thanks Roger
Volume 4 Issue 5 Investigators look at fuel system. (Something caused the loss of power) World airline accidents in 2007. (Maintenance is in there as a contributor) Qantas probe finds more faults. (What one clogged drain and a cracked tray can do) Ageing electrics cause Safety problems. (Most of today's aircraft are "fly by wire") and much more.
Volume 4 Issue 4 Pilot a hero at Heathrow. (I sure hope that it stays that way) Pilots deceived by fuel gauge. (Maintenance error set them up) Baggage door open fatal. (Maintenance or Pilot error?) Training lowers pilot error. (Sure agree with that one. Works for maintenance also) Medical Students learn how to prevent errors and much more.
Volume 4 Issue 3 Fight between pilot & mechanic halts fight. (So much for teamwork but who won?) B 737 strikes car. runway accidents linked to Human Error. (That should come as no surprise) Australian Gov't lobs shot at engine manufacturers (Note the 12 contributing factors - they look very familiar) and lots more.
Volume 4 Issue 2 Airline fatal events 2007. (Better but still too high) FAA boosts wiring safety. (More maintenance inspections is a great safety net) Shortage of AMEs (Try paying them what they're worth would help) Controller error due to fatigue. (7 straight days and in double overtime does that to you) Hard hats - A good knight idea. (Long overdue) Head injury numbers. (These should make a believer out of you) and much more.
Volume 4 Issue 1 Wrong gas pumped in. (Fortunately the system wasn't used or maintenance could have been responsible for a lot of fatalities) Engine blast peppers fuselage. String of blunders doom crew. (Often known as the Chain of Events) Safety Culture can reduce Human Error. (Cliff Edwards sure has that right) Hearing loss risk. Midnight shift nugget (Some good stuff here) and much more

2008

Once more our thanks go out to Roger Hughes & jetBlue for this excellent Safety information. May everyone have a Safe 2008

Volume 3 Issue 46 Air France crash report out. (Human error once more) Flight attendant blown out of aircraft. (Lucky it was still on the ground but there's a design flaw here) Safety Issues. (Training is a Safety net that it doesn't pay to put holes in) Africa - Highest number of accidents. (Africa, sadly, lacks a Safety culture) and much more
Merry Christmas to all and a Safe 2008 Gordon & Roger

Volume 3 Issue 45 NTSB adds Worker Fatigue to "Most Wanted" list. (It's time we recognize its dangerous contribution to human error) Air Transat rudder loss report is out. (Maintenance failed the tap test) MD-90 loses 3 meter long part on takeoff. (They called it a mistake in the workshop) A lot more on fatigue and more.
Volume 3 Issue 44 Faulty fuel filter Fatal. (Maintenance again) Guess the #1 air travel threat? (It's not Ben Laden) 70 years ago the "Spruce Goose" flew. Graveyard shift linked to cancer (Another reason not to like it) and much more on sleep or the lack of it.
Volume 3 Issue 43 Plane Crash Report. (Listen to your AMT) Toulouse A-340 Crash. (Looks like a $218 million maintenance error) Hospital drug errors. (They're human too) Ejector seats activates. (Just out of maintenance) Metal fatigue cause engine loss? Some great stuff on stress and more.
Volume 3 Issue 42 Airbus ground accident. (Its not everyday that maintenance gets to write off an aircraft with 0 hours on it) Cockpit device averts collision. (That's what it's designed to do) AD coming for entertainment wires. (The pilots will to be able to turn off your TV) FAA mandates new wiring safety measures. (To protect the wiring from maintenance) Fuselage punctured. Breakfast is important. (I like the part about improved memory) and more. Good stuff Roger. Thanks
Volume 3 Issue 41 Pilot steps into rotor blades. (A fatal error) Engine falls off airplane. (That will get the passengers paying attention to the briefing) Skimping on fuel. Forgot the battery. (More like bureaucracy wouldn't buy them UNTIL this happens) Fatigue - key to mistakes among pilots (And maintenance also) Missing wingtip OK to fly. (Not if I'm in it) Stressful jobs can be fatal and a lot more
Volume 3 Issue 40 Third accident may be maintenance. (We did it again) Pilot slept on overnight flight (Not the first time this has happened) Safety Standdown draws hundreds (Excellent. Wish I could have been there) Maintenance failed Sea King. Direct Atlantic flights barred due poor maintenance. (Much better than aircraft ditches in ocean due to poor maintenance) Parts shortage grounds helicopters. Baggage falling from sky. Oxygen and hydraulic oil kills (a must read if you didn't know) and much much more
Volume 3 Issue 39 27 Dash 8's grounded. (Likely more political than Safety) Hole in jet. (Human Error at work again) Aircraft Engineer crushed to death. (A Hit & Run???) Hangar door death. (Short cuts can have a nasty bite years later) Pilot ignored 15 alarms. (Some people just won't listen) More Fatigue tips and a lot more Great job Roger & JetBlue. Thanks from all of us.
Volume 3 Issue 38 Employee death shuts down baggage elevators. (That's one way to prevent another death) Runaway baggage carts strike aircraft in Vegas. (Just bad luck? I'll bet not) ATC failure saved by cellphones. (Ingenuity at work) More Fatigue nuggets and more
Volume 3 Issue 37 Operators cut corners at price of Safety. (That's Risk Management at its worse) Crane Operator not a marshaller. (Assume did it again) Airbus lands with parking brake on. (another job for the computer to check) More on Fatigue, a great poem and much more
Volume 3 Issue 36 Poor decision doomed jet. 95% air crashes caused by human error. (We used to say 80%) Close calls - a forgotten message (These are our "Free Lessons" we don't take advantage of) Fatal crashes down 65% (That's good news) More on Fatigue and much more

Volume 3 Issue 35 Loose cowling severs Tail Rotor Shaft. (Another maintenance bad news situation) Q400 gear collapse. (Not Maintenance I hope) Pilot "sure" that he had enough fuel. (They always do) B 737 has 70 cm crack. (That's our job to find long before they reach 70cm.) Confined space. Lots on Fatigue and much more.
Volume 3 Issue 34 Last word "Landing." The near miss (Also called the "Free Lesson") Half of bolts below standard ( Not Good) and much more
Volume 3 Issue 33 Bombardier probes crash(es). (Ouch; this is going to be costly) Hot Boeing windshields. (Cross threading is so easy to avoid) Human error caused A380 wing damage. (Airplanes don't attack hangars by themselves; yet) Fatigue fighters (We can always use these but the price?) and much more. Thanks Roger and jetBlue for some interesting reading material we can use to learn from.
Volume 3 Issue 32 Bolt missing in wing. (For want of a washer an aircraft was lost) Passengers criticize evacuation instructions. (Who remembers the briefing?) Taiwan's Unfriendly Skies. Fake engineers flew coop (10 years jail and a multi-million $ fine is a strong motivator to leave) Seatbelt kills Snowbird pilot. (Sadly,the problem was first detected 5 years earlier) and much more
Volume 3 Issue 31 China Airlines maintenance under scrutiny. Qantas discovers a fake maintainer signing out aircraft. (There has been fake pilots in the past) Low fuel error. (Lots of fuel, just in wrong tank) Fuel truck hits aircraft. (Fatigue strikes again) Safety Management Systems for maintainers (This one is a must to read) and more
Volume 3 Issue 30 Fuel gushes from aircraft. (Not Maintenance Error I hope) NTSB maintenance Safety Recommendations. (The failure gave lots of hints before hand) Both right engines fail. (Finger trouble?) Managing Stress. (Or it will manage you) and much more
Volume 3 Issue 29 Airline with worst baggage record fires workers for a different reason. (Maybe they were trying to get what they thought they were worth?) Helicopter crew distracted. Deadly danger of distractions. (A common part of modern life that is so preventable) Manslaughter charges too severe for maintenance lapse. (Is Revenge is the main reason for the charges?) Qantas rues crude repairs. (SOMEONE must have thought it was the right thing to do) and more
Volume 3 Issue 28 Airline employee dies. (Sounds all too familiar) Maintenance leaves rag on generator. (Fortunately it only caused a small fire) Maintenance error causes depressurization. (What ever happened to pressurizing on the ground to test?) Maggie's Law and FMS. (We need this) and much more
Volume 3 Issue 27 Airline employee dies. (Another unnecessary death) Work before Safety Inquiry (Each time you get away with it makes it seem OK until one day...) Jury awards $54 million for 2 injured in plane crash. (Ever wonder why aviation parts are so expensive?) and more Thanks JetBlue for helping keep us aware - it could happen to us!
Volume 3 Issue 26 Pilot Error strikes again, (But fatigue, complacency and lack of awareness are the cause of the errors in judgment) Helo Accident could have been prevented (The loose B nut strikes again) Woman killed by blade strike. (Now that can be prevented) Accident caused by wrong glue (It was cheaper until the lawsuits start) and much more
Volume 3 Issue 25 Runway not to blame. (But it will be a link in the chain of events) Baggage loader locked in hold. (Lucky he had a cell phone) World Airline Safety good so far. (Unless you are one of the 312 dead) Hospitals using aviation Safety tools. (I'm all for that) The Human Factor (Done right it is a long term useful tool) Near collision. (This is happening too often) and more
Volume 3 Issue 24 Remembering Maggie. (fatigue can and does kill) Loose fuel fitting causes fire. (Not the first and sadly likely not the last) Faulty maintenance may lead to disaster. (I certainly agree) Maintenance sued. (maintenance sets the pilot up to make his error) nose gear collapse and more
And if you have a choice - fly JetBlue as they are taking Safety, your Safety, seriously. Gordon
Volume 3 Issue 23 Oxygen generators fuel fire. (fortunately not onboard an aircraft this time) B 737 crashes; five killed, (Africa once more adds to its sad score) Nose gear collapse, (That can happen when "gear up" is selected and a maintenance error is involved) CRM saves lives (Human Factors training for maintenance does also) and more
Volume 3 Issue 22 Engine failure traced to faulty FCU, ( Human error once more) Jury convicts ex aircraft business owner, (Justification for this) Ten face prosecution over Sea King tragedy, (Read how revenge is used for what likely was likely a honest mistake) How much water should you drink? and more
Volume 3 Issue 21 Forgotten cart leads to aircraft damage. (Its easy to forget when distracted) System to blame as well as pilot. (Root causes often set the pilot up for his error) Faulty repair lead to Chalks crash. (A bad repair can take many years to kill) Deprivation hurts Safety and more
Volume 3 Issue 20 Loose fuel line causes power loss, (they just won't run without fuel - another maintenance error) Hole in fuselage, (another one but not an Aloha thank goodness) Insurance company sues pilot, Runaway trim may have caused fatalities, (did maintenance play a role?) Crash inquest hears Safety questions, (management too focused on profit) Fatigue vs. function and more
Volume 3 Issue 19 Poor maintenance, "sloppy" corporate culture blamed for fatal crash, (a reason to bring in SMS) airline mechanic sucked in, (not a good way to end your career) cargo worker killed, (another needless death) midnight shift nugget (if it can help keep you alert at that time - try it) and more
Volume 3 Issue 18 Hole in fuselage ends NWA flight, (happily not an "Aloha convertible" hole) FAA hands out Diamond Awards for "Excellence in Training," (good news for a change) Skyguide failures blamed for plane crash, (charges of negligent manslaughter will do nothing to prevent it from happening again) could this be you? (read and think about it. Would you be the person saying nothing?) and much more
Volume 3 Issue 17 Airline worker dies, (another unnecessary death) Misrouted control cable, (even duplicate inspections aren't foolproof) Pilot took off with malfunctioning engine, (hammer & chisel are not good bearing installation tools) dieing for a living, worried? (Than read this one) and more
Volume 3 Issue 16 Loose coupling causes tail rotor failure, (maintenance failure cause) Engineer reports Safety concerns, (and action is taken after an accident) when mistakes are made - report them, (now that is an excellent idea) top 10 stressful jobs, (No we didn't make the list) strategies to improve memory, (I sure can use that) and more.
Volume 3 Issue 15 FAA/ATA Human Factors Maintenance & Ramp Safety Symposium (Well worth attending if you can), helicopter crash recently repaired, (maintenance error?), Fatigued blamed in plane crash 747 crushes tow tractor (It can be dangerous out there) and more
Volume 3 Issue 14 Airbus 380 problems, (Their Mental pictures didn't match - HPIM Pt. 2). Fire in Hangar, Workshop at JetBlue (We enjoyed it - I hope you like poetry we can learn from). Deice trucks hit planes, (I'd sure like to know what the Human Factors reasons were for two hits in two days from the same airport). The return on investment of Safety (this is a must read please) and more
Volume 3 Issue 13 Differing between human and mechanical failure, (The odds are it was a human error) elevator partially detaches on takeoff, (How many times had it been inspected between 1999 & 2005?) fatigue's threats to air safety, (The greater the fatigue, the greater the "I don't care attitude") Pilots take a nap while flying, and more
Volume 3 Issue 12 Death on the ramp,(Again) bump caps, (Let he/she who has never bumped his/her head speak up), US puts warning on Indonesian airlines, Australia's safety record, Tips for fatigue, (Read this if you have a sleep problem or work shift work) and more
Volume 3 Issue 11 This one is late by my error (05-07) Oil pump failure causes accident (maintenance forget to install the bushings), CRM Meltdown, Copter crash blamed on maintenance, (Sadly, it happens again), Comair says pilots errored (so did we in the spelling) and more
Volume 3 Issue 10 The importance of turnover (The Mental Pictures must match), Indonesia's wild aviation, (Anything goes), The Near Miss (read this as this is what SMS is all about), your heart at work, and more
Volume 3 Issue 9 New discoveries in the Garuda crash, Pilots support Canadian Safety bill, (So do I), fatigue costing billions, longer breaks needed, (More power to the "Power Nap") and more
Volume 3 Issue 8 Air Safety approach criticized, (I don't agree here) airliner crash in Indonesia, (again), aircraft age ban, (its not the age, its the maintenance or lack of), bogus parts, (still), jet-lag, Safety culture and more
Volume 3 Issue 7 Fatigue causes stab failure, new scrutiny for tired aircraft metal. Long hospital shifts Increase fatigue related mistakes, (that shouldn't be a surprise), sleep deprivation in the military, (now these stats ARE a surprise), fatigue at 30,000 feet and more
Volume 3 Issue 6 Aircraft propeller claims life (not a pretty way to die but you won't see it coming), workers injured when tire explodes, airline will no longer punish for fatalities, lack of O2 almost destroys aircraft, night shift, (I sure agree with this article) crash report reveals system flaws and more
Volume 3 Issue 5 Near miss in Denver (another "Free Lesson"), Elevator cable misrigged, (Misrigged 1998 -Fails 2006. What about inspections in between?) Outsourcing safety concern, Adam Air Safety problems, Health quiz and more
Volume 3 Issue 4 Fedex to help train mechanics (All of aviation benefits from a donation like this), Blame laid in Brazil air crash, Control tower policy violations in Lexington, workplace stress management, (well worth reading and heeding) and more
Volume 3 Issue 3 Citation crashes in California, Kentucky pilots in crash violated rules (The question is WHY) WW2 aircraft restored, Reaction to a crash, (Adam Air warning signs) managing depression and more
Volume 3 Issue 2 NTSB updates, Cargo door opens in flight, (More lost baggage?) Russian air Safety plan in the works (Excellent idea), drunken Ukrainian pilots imprisoned in Norway, and more
Volume 3 Issue 1 2006 a good year for Safety, (unless you were one of the 1292 killed) What is ergonomics? (man vs. machine) Ground damaged aircraft lands Safely, (it should never have taken off), Pilot with alcohol breath fired, Neglect and failures cause crash, (maintenance failed once more) How to improve your memory and more

2007
Thanks Roger & jetBlue for a great year of Safety information. Happy 2007

Volume 2 Issue 43 Tired? Take a spit test, Fatigue causes 747 fatal crash, aircraft smashes tug, (that's a costly lack of ground handling equipment maintenance), Human Error blames for fatal plane crash, (surprised?) Students study B-52 human factors and more
Volume 2 Issue 42 New Aircraft technician ratings proposed, (about time) Employee run over by plane, Mechanical problem causes helicopter crash, (wrong bolt length causes unnecessary loss of 3 lives), jet narrowly avoids crash landing (computer distraction) Criminalizing Aviation Accidents and more
Volume 2 Issue 41 US Air Force has Safest year,(always good to hear) paint chips cause MD80 problems, (maintenance error?) next generation mechanic, (this guy has been around since the early 737 days and are called unit jerkers) crossed fuel lines, false indication causes fatalities, (sadly both maintenance & pilot error) managing arthritis (for those over 65 and some younger) and more
Volume 2 Issue 40 Man walks into a spinning propeller,(and lives) NTSB accident reports, runway close calls, (almost another Tennerife) NASA Safety reporting system - 30 years old, (I wonder how many lives its saved by knowing) Monday morning blues, (interesting) ferry pilot jailed for fatal crash, ladder Safety and more
Volume 2 Issue 39 Half of US runways lack a Safety zone, (Interesting to know how that compares to the rest of the world) NTSB accident reports - improper maintenance, contaminated fuel, improper loading, plot ignored storm advice, pilot faulted in Nigerian crash, (human error at its worse) pilots can teach hospitals about patient Safety (we all can learn from the mistakes of others) and more
Volume 2 Issue 38 Bad week for Continental and not much better of Alaska, (Proves that pilots are human to) FAA-ATA Human Factors in Maintenance and Ramp a success, (Its a worthwhile subject) Transport Canada to regulate maintenance hours of work, (Difficult but necessary) Avionics 70% of maintenance workload in new fighter and more
Volume 2 Issue 37 Improper control cable routing, (independent inspections are supposed to prevent this) 3 hurt in jet blast, Nigerian plane crash blamed on weather and pilots, Tools make the maintainer, (make him broke as well) Concordes left to rot, stressed out (This is sad) - drink tea (this is a new one) and more
Volume 2 Issue 36 What comes after Human Factors? (excellent article on SMS) USAF has decrease in fatalities, (Good News) Engine failures point to overhaul problems, Inflight fires are a Safety threat, (that's a given) plane back row seats are no safer, (but planes don't back into mountains) Long hours lead to medical errors and more
Volume 2 Issue 35 Report on Ground Worker's death, (it didn't have to happen) Helios crash report, (maintenance played a supporting role in this one) wrong sized bolts contribute to crash, (not the first time that's happened - BAC1-11 windshield change) Bombardier's Safety standdown, LAX runway incursion and more
Volume 2 Issue 33 Human Error in Brazilian collision, (no maintenance error with a transponder I hope) everyday error causes most airplane crashes, (but not everyday thank goodness) medical mistakes 30 times worse than 9/11 (now if we could use even a fraction of the homeland security money on this - think of the lives we would save) fiery statistics and more
Volume 2 Issue 30 Understanding Human Error Pt. 2 of 4, controller had 2 hours sleep, (that's when the "don't care" attitude can develop), mechanical problems down Helo, door flies off Fokker (that one's hard to ignore), Ground Worker Safety and more
Volume 2 Issue 29 Understanding Human Error - Pt. 1 of 4 (And knowing how to avoid it also) Russian airliner crashes, Plane takes off minus its flight attendants (Who's going to bring the Captain his coffee?) Chinese hostesses must know kung fu, airport blackout caused by maintenance (More like lack of maintenance) and much more
Volume 2 Issue 28 Eight controllers charged with "homicide by negligence", another ground worker killed, service truck hits aircraft, did laptop batteries cause aircraft fire? secret cost of fatigue and much more
Volume 2 Issue 27 Maintenance error causes landing gear accident, microsleep can = dead sleep, (good work Roger) loss of situational awareness causes crash, controls misrigged fatal, human error in aviation maintenance (great article) and more
Volume 2 Issue 26 Pilot error again in A 320 crash, aging rules don't apply to smaller aircraft, near miss at O'Hare, pilot with alcohol on breath fired, geologist killed by helicopter blade (this should not be happening), HF training contributes to a Safety break (great) and more
Volume 2 Issue 25 Maintenance error results in in-flight fuel leak, (fortunately it didn't ignite) Poor maintenance in air cargo operations, man dies walking into tail rotor (another one), electrical arcing causes fuel tank explosion, the benefits of breakfast and more
Volume 2 Issue 24 Russian Airbus crash, Flight 800 after 10 years, Learjet safety stand-down, maintenance and pilot error cause helicopter crash, education key to Safety (I'll sure agree with that) and more
Volume 2 Issue 23 Lack of fuel causes crash, maintenance errors result in $51 million settlement, crew fatigue, human error leads to B 747crash, Jazz maintenance is the best (Glad to hear that one) and more
Volume 2 Issue 22 Workers legs are severed by B-747, Batteries caused fire? Maintenance issue with tiny airline, eggs and you and more
Volume 2 Issue 21 CAA probe jet maintenance claims, pilot error blamed for C5 crash, education key to aviation Safety, (That I believe) Air Canada subsidiary suspends whistleblower mechanics, Canadian judge calls for air Safety investigation and more
Volume 2 Issue 20 A PIT of a landing, another fuel tank explosion, human error for Cypriot Crash (maintenance set them up: contribute to their error) shiftwork myths, (this is hard to believe) beating tension headaches and more
Volume 2 Issue 19 This day (29 years) in history, another worker sucked into an engine, (see Volume 2 Issue 4) jet runs off runway, FAA debuts online HF training, (and you can even take the course online) bad repair causes crash, Human Error in the workplace and more
Volume 2 Issue 18 This day (10 years) in history, B-1 damaged in gear up, Indonesia bans Boeing 737-200s, Plane bumped by fuel truck, 10 tips for a better memory (I can sure use this one) and more
Volume 2 Issue 17 Poor maintenance causes Convair crash (this is all too familiar), Cloud over Airbus after latest fatal crash, poor planning led to accident, aircraft lands with blown tires, lack of sleep & hypertension and more
Volume 2 Issue 16 Another runway incident, Crash due to human factors (80% plus of the time that will be right), Crashed aircraft had out of date inspection, Human error in medicine and sleeping pills
Volume 2 Issue 15 Training fault of MU 2 Safety woes, (and a lot of lives) JAL exhibits B747 wreckage, (One way to maintain awareness of what maintenance error can do) job stress & more
Volume 2 Issue 14 Two charged in faking jet maintenance, (better known as "pencil whipping") chunk of jet engine falls to earth, Pilots errors led to fatal air-show crash, jet lag and more
Volume 2 Issue 13 Skymark ignores Boeing Safety instructions, BA fined for flying "unfit" jet, GM killed by helicopter blades, Pilot killed talking on cell phone (It had to happen sooner or later) and more
Volume 2 Issue 12 KLM/Pam Am - 29 years ago, Metal damages fighter jet, RJ lands with gear problems, Helios crash was "waiting to happen" Safety and the bottom line and more
Volume 2 Issue 11 Fuel truck hits airplane, 45 injured in B 737 landing, Increase in Aviation accidents in 2005, NASA to Employees - Be More Careful (That should do it) and more
Volume 2 Issue 10 747 blows nose in test, Pilot Error causes FA death, South Korea concerned over Low Cost airlines, cracks in wings cause fatal plane crash, Importance of breakfast and more
Volume 2 Issue 9 Airport worker killed on tarmac (it's dangerous out there), bad taxiing causes wing ding, wrongful death suit against Chalk's manufacturer, Failed engine cylinder cited in NTSB ruling and more
Volume 2 Issue 8 Chopper accident kills worker (another one), NTSB blames mechanic for plane crash, Plane crash due to wrong fuel tank, response to demands for FAA repair station training and more
Volume 2 Issue 7 Anger in the workplace, Two injured when plane slides into jetway, How stress affected comprehension (well worth reading), Fuel truck clips aircraft and more
Volume 2 Issue 6 Insomnia Costs Companies, NTSB report on Mechanic fatality, NTSB - Bad maintenance Downed aircraft, SAS aircraft flew without inspections and more
Volume 2 Issue 5 Workplace Distractions Costly, Heart Health, Worker Suffers Electrical Shock, 1985 JAL Wreckage on Display, Report Blames NASA Culture for Tragedy and more
Volume 2 Issue 4 Airline Mechanic killed by jet engine, (not the first time its happened), Safety: Airlines vs. Hospital, Warning on aviation Safety in Europe, Japan Airlines suffers - "Big company disease", Six reasons why you need your sleep (Only Six?) and more
Volume 2 Issue 3 Landing gear problem causes Alaska Airlines return, JAL MD-90 lands with safety pin locking thrust reverser, Alaska Airlines faces 1/2 million dollar fine for maintenance error and more
Volume 2 Issue 2 Hard work is key to fulfillment, 3 Alaska air mishaps blamed on ground crew, Sloppy repair in Chalk Crash? Probable cause of NC Sheriff Helio crash and more
Volume 2 Issue 1 The importance of exercise, Alaska Airlines pressurization loss, Doomed Helios flight, Maintenance Manual Error

2006

Volume 1 Issue 7 Money woes affects work performance, Workaholism, 20 years since the Gander crash. and more
Volume 1 Issue 6 Cockpit rule violated in Chicago accident, Probable cause/Contributing Factors, Crisis in Aviation, Two Nigerian Airlines Grounded, and more.
Volume 1 Issue 5 Sick Leave. Iran Air Safety. Passenger Safety on Airbus 380. Oil Leak and Pilots only to Blame?
Volume 1 Issue 4 Australian fatal Sea King accident, a loose fuel line court case, a mid air helicopter accident and more

Volume 1 Issue 3 Industry briefs, Exercise and work performance, Causes of plane crashes and more airline maintenance oversight needed
Volume 1 Issue 2 Runway near misses a Safety concern, How much is enough caffeine, Plane pieces combed for clues, Air drama as jets near collide
Volume 1 Issue 1 Air France crash in Toronto, Nigeria Safety, Cargo jet take off on Taxiway and Runway near misses