FAA AMT Handbook

The FAA AMT Handbook is the handbook for aviation maintenance technicians that has been developed and distributed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Its Chapter 14 is called Human Factors.

Chapter 14. Human Factors

Introduction

Why are human conditions, such as fatigue, complacency, and stress, so important in aviation maintenance? These conditions, along with many others, are called human factors. Human factors directly cause or contribute to many aviation accidents. It is universally agreed that 80 percent of maintenance errors involve human factors. If they are not detected, they can cause events, worker injuries, wasted time, and even accidents.

What is Human Factors

This section discusses elements of human factors, particularly clinical psychology, experimental psychology, anthropometrics, computer science, cognitive science, safety engineering, medical science, organizational psychology, educational psychology, and industrial engineering.

History of Human Factors

This section discusses the evolution of maintenance human factors.

The PEAR Model

This section discusses the PEAR model that consists of (a) people (P), (b) environment (E), both physical and organizational, (c) actions (A), and (d) resources (R).

Human Error

This section discusses human errors, including types of errors (unintentional and i

An unintentional error is an unintentional wandering or deviation from accuracy. This can include an error in your action (a slip), opinion, or judgment caused by poor reasoning, carelessness, or insufficient knowledge (a mistake). For example, an AMT reads the torque values from a job card and unintentionally transposed the number 26 to 62. He or she did not mean to make that error but unknowingly and unintentionally did. An example of an unintentional mistake would be selecting the wrong work card to conduct a specific repair or task. Again, not an intentional mistake but a mistake nonetheless. Intentional In aviation maintenance, an intentional error should really be considered a violation. If someone knowingly or intentionally chooses to do something wrong, it is a violation, which means that one has deviated from safe practices, procedures, standards, or regulations. Kinds of Errors Active and Latent .

The "Dirty Dozen"

This section discusses the Dirty Dozen of Human Factors in details and provides the readers with examples and recommendations.

Availability

The Handbook is available at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/