Aviation Safety

  Fatigue is a significant contributor to human error in aviation and poses a serious threat to aviation safety. Fatigue refers to the physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability, resulting from sleep loss, extended wakefulness, circadian phase disruption, or workload (mental and/or physical activity) (ICAO, 2020). In the aviation context, fatigue impairs cognitive functions such as attention, decision-making, and reaction time, which are critical for safe flight operations. Pilots, air traffic controllers, and maintenance personnel are all vulnerable to fatigue due to the nature of their work. Long duty periods, irregular work hours, night shifts, and crossing multiple time zones disrupt natural sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Studies have shown that fatigue can produce cognitive impairments equivalent to or greater than those caused by alcohol intoxication (Williamson & Feyer, 2000). This can lead to lapses in judgment, reduced situational...

  Aviation safety is a shared responsibility, and one of the most powerful tools we have to promote a safety culture is by studying the accidents and incidents that have occurred in our industry. By doing so, we not only identify the root causes but also uncover insights that can help us prevent future mishaps. Let’s take a moment to reflect on a specific incident that highlights the importance of a proactive safety culture—the 2009 Air France Flight 447 disaster. This tragic accident, which led to the loss of 228 lives, was caused by a combination of technical failures, poor communication, and human error, all of which culminated in the aircraft's crash into the Atlantic Ocean. At the heart of this tragedy was a failure to properly address stall warnings and the pilot’s confusion during high-altitude conditions. The accident report revealed that the aircraft's pitot tubes, which measure airspeed, were obstructed by ice crystals, leading to unreliable speed data. While the pi...