The Importance of Aviation Maintenance
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
RSCH 202 Intro to Research Methods
The Importance of Aviation Maintenance
Introduction
Aviation maintenance practices do not get followed like they should, too many mechanics tend to try and take shortcuts to get the job done. This can lead to catastrophic failures, and even death. Aviation maintenance work is a very importance piece of the productivity and maintainable condition with aircraft. Proper work and strong mechanical skills are needed. An airplane cannot just pull over in the clouds if an issue is suspected. This needs to be taken serious and stop with the shortcuts.
A brief literature review
According to an article posted by Matthew Bauman, there was a Naval Aviation Maintenance Program implemented in 1959 to help reduce the Class A. accidents (Bauman, 2013). Class A. accidents are those involving more than one million dollars in property damage. Matthew Bauman then continues with noting that more than 80 percent of issues are due to human error. “Understanding the role of human error in an accident or incident is fundamentally different from simply attributing such an event to an inherently fallible human operator” (Latorella & Prabhu, 2000). As holding a career as an aviation mechanic, there have been countless time of aircraft damage due to negligence, or just plain not paying attention. An article released in 2014, noted that a study done in the United Kingdom, tried to eradicate the root causes of aviation maintenance errors (Rashid, Place, & Braithwaite, 2014). It was a very in-depth study done to try and help with all the known issues. The study hit on the root causes of accidents, and if it can be detected or required an investigation into the situation. A number of known problem areas are the safety concerns with properly accomplishing the work. “The first reward is the confidence that comes from knowing your way around your airplane” (Ells, 2011). Taking pride in your own work whether you are working on your own aircraft or someone else’s, will truly show with the quality of work performed. Those who rush to get things done really fast usually skip a step or overtighten a key component. Aircraft maintenance should not be taken lightly. “Safety is paramount in the airline industry” (Marais & Robichaud, 2012). Marais and Robichaud did extensive research in a study that looked at data in the years 1999 to 2008 to see the impacts of aviation accidents. Another key issue to look at is the outsourcing, which companies have been incorporating. How can you truly dictate the training and proper maintenance being done if you outsource? Are the same maintenance procedures and steps being followed, like within the origin facility? “Particular concerns are the quality of the service provided by organizations not under direct control, and effects on the remaining workforce” (Drury, Guy, & Wenner, 2010).
Research Question
There are already many stop points and rules set in place to help with impending the maintenance screw ups. What factors into the human error issues with aviation maintenance? Can this be controlled by implementing multiple step procedures?
Theoretical framework The dependent variable of human error is based upon several independent variables: personal and emotional distress, rules and regulations not being clear, improper training conducted, and complacency. There is also a moderating variable between, rules and regulations not being clear, and human error. This moderating variable would be the outsourcing of maintenance being done. Personal and emotional distress can greatly cause work related issues. Many times the personal life at home is brought into the business world. This can cause missed maintenance practices as well as not following the rules and regulations set in place. Rules and regulations are implemented to ensure a smooth operation of aircraft maintenance, with both safety and training involved. Improper training tends to be overlooked in the rush of the work area, this can lead to personal injury or damage to aircraft. Complacency tends to follow in the step of all above mentioned. Complacency is the simple act of not paying attention to your surroundings, or when you are due for follow on training, as well as mistaking the rules set in place, and cause harm to equipment and those around the work area. When you tend to outsource the maintenance task to other companies, who tends to follow their own set of rules and regulations, this can lead to improper maintenance performed.
Dependent Variable Moderating Variable Independent Variables
Dependent Variable Moderating Variable Independent Variables
Hypotheses
The null hypothesis (HO) for this study is if a world-wide, multi-step procedure is implemented for aviation maintenance, then it will diminish the human error factors. The alternate hypothesis (HA) would be that a world-wide, multi-step procedure implemented for aviation maintenance will not decrease the human error issues.
References
Bauman, M. J. (2013, May). Improving Aviation Maintenance Training. Marine Corps Gazette, 97(5), 49-53.
Drury, C. G., Guy, K. P., & Wenner, C. A. (2010, April). Outsourcing Aviation Maintenance: Human Factors Implications, Specifically for Communications. The International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 20(2), 124-143.
Ells, S. (2011, January 24). Maintenance: You Can Do It. Retrieved from Flying Mag: http://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/modifications-maintenance/maintenance-you-can-do-it
Latorella, K. A., & Prabhu, P. V. (2000, August). A review of human error in aviation maintenance and inspection. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 26(2), 133-161.
Marais, K. B., & Robichaud, M. R. (2012, October). Analysis of trends in aviation maintenance risk: An empirical approach. Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 106, 104-118.
Rashid, H., Place, C., & Braithwaite, G. (2014, February). Eradicating root causes of aviation maintenance errors: introducing the AMMP. Cognition, Technology & Work, 16(1), 71-90.
