Carrier Air Wing Mishap Reduction Using a Human Factors Classification System and Risk Management

In 1998, the Navy's center of excellence for advanced air wing combat operations, namely the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), had a spike in Class A flight mishaps. The spike triggered an intense review of prior mishaps and current mishap-reduction practices using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). The review resulted in NSAWC instituting a comprehensive multifactorial mishap reduction plan applying Operational Risk Management (ORM) precepts. Methods: This is a nonrandomized investigational study with use of a historical comparison population. The Class A mishap rate per flight hour covering 10 years prior to the mishap reduction efforts was estimated and compared to the Class A mishap rate per flight hour for the 10 years after implementation using Poisson regression. Results: Combined Fleet and NSAWC data shows a 27% reduction in mishap rate, but the 21% reduction in the Fleet alone was not statistically significant. The mishap reduction at NSAWC was statistically significant with an 84% reduction. Fallon carrier air wing mishap rates post-ORM mishap reduction efforts are approaching those seen in the Fleet, but are still elevated overall (3.7 vs. 2.4). Conclusion: The incidence rate ratio was 80% lower at Fallon than the rest of the Fleet, indicating a - greater reduction in NSAWC air wing mishaps and suggests focused aviation mishap reduction efforts in similar circumstances could result in similar reductions. Published in Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, v81 n11 p1028-1032, November 2010.