I want to start out by saying that my only intention of this post is to try to increase safety in our little corner of the aviation industry. We've lost way too many incredible people this year (1 is too many) and we don't need to lose anyone else. In general, we (warbirds and air show performers) have done a pretty good job of policing ourselves, and I'm afraid if we are not proactive in addressing the incidents and accidents of the 2011 season, the NTSB and the FAA will take care of the policing for us.
I am not here to lecture anyone, I'm just concerned about the general, non-aviation educated, public's reaction and more importantly the regulatory agencies reactions to not only today's tragic events but this year's air show season as a whole. We all agree that this has been the toughest year in recent memory for warbirds and air show performers in general.
I know that at every air show safety is the #1 priority, both of the crews and the spectators. Each year at ICAS there are always safety and other training seminars on all manner of air show and warbird operations both on the ground and in the air. EAA, CAF, AOPA, and many other alphabet groups all host safety and training seminars that do a lot to increase safety and awareness also.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I hope that all of us that work on or fly warbirds all take this off season to step back and take a long, hard look at how we're operating these aircraft that we're entrusted with. I don't know a lot of people in this business, but 99.99% of the ones I do know, are good, honest, safe technicians and pilots. Even good people make mistakes, Lord knows I've made my share and I've been blessed that nobody has been injured.
If you're involved in maintaining or flying a warbird in any way, as a paid employee or as a volunteer who cleans the bugs off, try to attend any aviation safety event you can. A simple way that everyone who comes in contact with any airplane can increase safety, is to speak up if you see something that doesn't look right. You don't have to have an FAA certificate in your pocket to know that something is not right. Speak up and tell someone who can confirm whether or not what you found is airworthy or not.
I know that most of us technicians have probably seen this, but it's always a good reminder from our friends at the FAA.
The Dirty Dozen
1. Lack of communication
The exchange of information that conveys meaning between two or more people. Lack of communication often leads to misunderstandings and the results could be catastrophic.
2. Complacency
Self-satisfaction accompanied by a loss of awareness of the dangers. This often happens when doing familiar, repetitive work.
3. Lack of knowledge
Insufficient experience or training in the task-at-hand. It is easy to see how lack of knowledge could lead to an error or an accident. Often lack of assertiveness plays a part because people do not like to admit they do not know something.
4. Distraction
One's attention is drawn away; mental or emotional confusion or disturbance occurs. When working among many people, with frequent work interruptions, or when coping with stress, it is easy to become distracted.
5. Lack of teamwork
Failing to work together to achieve a common goal. Lack of teamwork creates an unhealthy environment in terms of personal dissatisfaction and group disconnect.
6. Fatigue
Weariness from labor or exertion, nervous exhaustion, temporary loss of power to respond. Shift work can have an enormous physical impact, but there are ways to combat fatigue. For example, sleeping and exercising regularly, avoiding complex tasks at the bottom of the circadian rhythm, and asking others to check the work.
7. Lack of resources
Failing to use or acquire the appropriate tools, equipment, information, and procedures for the task-at-hand. Lack of resources or misusing resources has been linked to many accidents or incidents.
8. Pressure
Pushing for something, in spite of opposing odds, or creating a sense of urgency or haste. This factor is most prevalent when deadlines approach or when trying to meet a tight schedule.
9. Lack of assertiveness
Failing to behave in a self-confident manner. Lack of assertiveness has been identified as a link in the chain of events for many accidents.
10. Stress
Mental, emotional, or physical tension, strain, or distress. Stress is not inherently good or bad; how one handles it determines its impact on the individual. Stress is very difficult to measure objectively.
11. Lack of awareness
Failing to be alert or vigilant in observing. Lack of awareness of the work situation or your surroundings often results in error or injury to yourself or others.
12. Norms
Unwritten and, often, unspoken rules about how work is done. Always work according to the instructions. If norm are actually a better way to do things, change the instructions so norms become part of the approved procedures
Again, my goal here is just to help make us all a little safer and to keep those who would like to see all warbirds grounded from getting thier wish.
Ok, let the beatings begin...
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I have seen the same breakdowns happen on board ship and in the field (during a former job many years ago) when your list came into play by the numbers to cause a near calamity. Kudos for speaking up with an intelligent and thoughtful post.
