Introduction
The crash of Air Florida Flight 90 on January 13, 1982, was a tragic event that resulted in the loss of life of 78 people. The crash was caused by various factors, including crew errors, air traffic control (ATC) communications, and dispatch issues. This paper will analyze the performance of the crew and other relevant teams concerning the principles of aircrew training and Crew Resource Management (CRM) and the principles of 6th Generation CRM/Threat and Error Management.
Crew Deficiencies in Training and Experience
The crew of Air Florida Flight 90 consisted of a captain with over 10,000 flight hours, including 5,500 hours on the Boeing 737. The first officer had approximately 3,000 flight hours, including 1,000 hours on the Boeing 737 (National Transportation Safety Board, 1982). On the surface, the qualifications of the crew are adequate. However, upon further analysis, there were potential areas for improvement in their training and experience. The crew had yet to receive training on responding to the particular type of icing conditions they encountered during takeoff (National Transportation Safety Board, 1982). Additionally, the crew had yet to receive training on the proper procedures for de-icing, which would have been critical in the conditions they faced (National Transportation Safety Board, 1982). Despite their extensive flight hours, the crew of Air Florida Flight 90 faced critical deficiencies in their training and experience, ultimately leading to the tragic crash.
Simulator Training as a Solution for Crew Deficiencies
Simulator training could have corrected the deficiencies identified in the crew’s training and experience, such as needing more experience in responding to different types of icing conditions and de-icing procedures. For example, the crew of Air Florida Flight 90 had yet to receive training on responding to the particular type of icing conditions they encountered during takeoff, which ultimately led to the crash (National Transportation Safety Board, 1982). By providing the crew with hands-on experience in responding to these conditions and procedures in a controlled environment, they would have been able to develop and refine their skills without putting people or property at risk.
Moreover, simulator training would have allowed the crew to practice CRM skills such as effective communication and decision-making, critical components of aircrew performance. In Air Florida Flight 90, the captain failed to inform the first officer of the critical speed and altitude information during takeoff. The first officer failed to inform the captain of the flight’s low altitude and speed, which could have allowed the captain to take corrective action (National Transportation Safety Board, 1982). Investing in comprehensive simulator training could have prevented the tragedy of Air Florida Flight 90, emphasizing the importance of aircrew training in ensuring air travel safety. Simulator training provides an opportunity to correct deficiencies, practice skills, and refine techniques, ultimately reducing the risk of accidents in the aviation industry.
CRM Failures in Air Florida Flight 90
Regarding CRM failures, several communication and decision-making issues contributed to the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. For example, the captain failed to inform the first officer of the critical speed and altitude information during takeoff (National Transportation Safety Board, 1982). Additionally, the first officer failed to inform the captain of the flight’s low altitude and speed, which would have allowed the captain to take corrective action (National Transportation Safety Board, 1982). Furthermore, the crew needed to follow proper procedures for checking the flaps and slats during takeoff, which led to the flight being overweight and underpowered (National Transportation Safety Board, 1982). Effective communication and decision-making skills, which are vital components of CRM, could have prevented the crash of Air Florida Flight 90, emphasizing the importance of incorporating CRM principles into aircrew training.
6th Generation CRM/ Threat and Error Management in Air Florida Flight 90
The 6th Generation CRM/Threat and Error Management principles aim to prevent accidents. This is achieved by identifying and mitigating threats and errors through a proactive approach to safety (Kock et al., 2021). In the case of Air Florida Flight 90, these principles could have helped the crew and other relevant teams identify the potential risks and mitigate them before the accident occurred. For example, the crew could have received training on how to respond to icing conditions and de-icing procedures, which would have prevented the icing from affecting the aircraft’s performance (Charleen, 2019). Additionally, the crew and other relevant teams could have been trained in effective communication and decision-making skills, which would have allowed them to respond to the changing conditions during takeoff more effectively (Charleen, 2019). Implementing the 6th Generation CRM/Threat and Error Management principles in aircrew training and operations could have prevented the tragic crash, demonstrating the critical importance of proactive safety management in the aviation industry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 was a tragic event caused by crew errors, ATC communications, and dispatch issues. The crew’s qualifications were adequate, but there were potential areas for improvement in their training and experience. Simulator training could have been used to correct these deficiencies and prevent the accident from occurring. Additionally, the 6th Generation CRM/Threat and Error Management principles could have helped the crew and other relevant teams identify and mitigate the threats and errors before they led to the accident. The crash highlights the importance of practical aircrew training and CRM and the need for a proactive approach to safety in the aviation industry. By following these principles, we can work towards reducing the risk of accidents and improving the safety of air travel for everyone.
References
Charleen, M. (2019). Threat & error management[PowerPoint slides]. Web.
Kock, F., Berbekova, A., & Assaf, A. G. (2021). Understanding and managing the threat of common method bias: Detection, prevention and control. Tourism Management, 86, 104330. Web.
National Transportation Safety Board. (1982). Aircraft accident report: Air Florida, inc. boeing 737-222, N62AF collision with 14th street bridge, near Washington national airport. Web.