Pilot fatigue as a causal factor in aviation accidents Essay Example for Free

Pilot fatigue as a causal factor in aviation accidents Essay This paper aims to delve into the processes and effects of pilot fatigue and its role as a causal factor in aviation accidents. Pilot fatigue as a term is hard to define since different kind of people feel it in different ways and in certain degrees. For the purpose of this paper, however, we will define pilot fatigue as a state of mental and physical exhaustion resulting in a decrease in the ability to perform and maintain activities. The paper will examine the causes of pilot fatigue, its effect to pilot performance in the aircraft and its role in causing aviation accidents. The feeling of fatigue is usually associated with two factors; lack of sleep and disruption of the body’s normal circadian rhythm. The occurrence of one or both usually results in a feeling of sleepiness, tiredness and exhaustion. One of the most essential functions in the human body is sleep. Sleep is the main way by which the body receives rest and enables it to resume activities after wakening. The effects of sleep have been almost based mostly on the results felt with and without it. Generally, having the proper amount of sleep, about 6-8 hours, results in a feeling of well being and freshness. Sleep loss means the time getting less sleep than what is required by the body to perform functions effectively upon awakening. The amount of sleep one needs to perform effectively varies per person, with some needing eight hours while others can simply make do with four. If one needs only 4 hours, and he only sleeps two, two hours of sleep loss occurs. The first night of sleep loss may or may not have a perceptible impact on work activities but after cumulative sleep losses, the impact also increases. Sleep is one of the various body processes regulated by our circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm deals with regulating processes based on cycles of night and day. When one alters the circadian rhythm, it disrupts the body’s natural cycle of rest and sleep. (Sanquist, Raby, Forsythe, Carvalhais, 1997) Fatigue effects are generally the body’s way of attempting to get some rest. These include drowsiness, lapsing in and out of sleep, reduced alertness and muscle coordination, loss of concentration and spotty memory. A fatigued person has sluggish movements, slow reaction times and a tendency to lose focus of the task at hand. Graver is the tendency to become unconscious for brief periods of time, neglecting whatever action at hand. (Conway, Mode, Berman, Martin, Hill, 2005) In pilots, any one of these could lead to disaster. However, when a combination of them occurs, the risks rise dramatically. (Caldwell, 2005) Being a pilot exposes one to situations that result in fatigue. The schedule takes it toll. The paperwork and checks that a pilot has to undergo before the flight proper results in stress. However, it is the flight itself which is the main factor for fatigue in pilots. The long flights leave a pilot almost no time for rest, much less sleep. The banality of looking at controls aids in boring the pilot. Also, the travel of the plane may take it across one or more flight zones. One of the main indicators in the circadian rhythm is daylight. Taking a trip across time zones exposes the pilot to varying amounts of daylight in a single day. This is what’s properly known as jet lag. (Petrie, Powell, Broadbent, 2004) A fatigued pilot may find it easy to succumb to the effects of fatigue during a flight. Bourgeois-Bougrine, Carbon, Gounelle, Mollard, Coblentz, 2003) The cabin pressure, the dim lights, the monotonous sounds, all this have the potential to lure a tired pilot to sleep. Although resting periods are prescribed during flight, no relaxing sleep is derived from them. (Samel, Vejvoda, Maass, 2004) Pilots may also succumb to boredom fatigue, when their tasks become dull and monotonous. (Caldwell, 2001) Whatever discipline or training a pilot may have, it is no much to the needs of the body. It is true that as a pilot, one must be at peak alertness and performance. The effect of fatigue disrupts this and would logically lead to a disturbance in pilot activities. Once airborne, pilots must be vigilant in maintaining airspeed, altitude, pitch and course. In landing, they must be sure of themselves and their movements when banking, controlling the flaps and lowering the wheels. (Raymond Moser, 1995) Fatigue can make a pilot fail in any one of these tasks. This can cause aviation accidents. (Goode, 2003) However, data on the subject cannot empirically say what role fatigue plays. The effects of fatigue may be causative to accidents, but these effects can be induced by other means. There have been many cases where pilot error was cited to be the cause of the crash. However the reasons behind those errors may or may not be due to fatigue. Also, even with a fatigued pilot, it is possible to avoid incidents. (Goode, 2003)Co-pilots are in place not just to assist, but when necessary, take over a pilot. Although no empirical data supports fatigue as a major cause of aviation incidents, the fact that it can lead to such events have led aviation industry officials to take precautionary measures to prevent as well as minimize the effect of fatigue and the risks it entails to both passenger and crew. Guidelines regarding scheduling, medication and on air conduct are aimed to reduce pilot fatigue and boredom. (Conway et al. , 2004) Ensuring that the pilot is rested and is free from fatigue does not ensure an incident-free flight, but it does minimize the risks that the effects of fatigue could lead to disaster. (Smith Mason, 2001) Research Log The first step that I did was to identify the topic. I chose fatigue in pilots and its role in accidents since I have often looked up to pilots and wishes to know what happens when they are fatigued when flying. I researched materials relevant to my topic, from books I had to the internet. I began my paper by clearly stating what I wanted to express,as to avoid confusion and backtracking by the reader. The definition of terms was next to aid the reader in digesting the paper. The body consisted of a cause, effect and then role format. I presented the causes with the desire to impress upon the reader that fatigue happens to any one and everyone. I then enumerated the effects of fatigue to show how such a common event can lead to many risks. Next, particular focus was given to the pilots and their susceptibility to conditions leading to fatigue and conducive to its effects. Afterwards, I expressed that the effects of fatigue in pilots can lead to accidents. However, I refrained from directly pressing the role of fatigue since no data supports it directly. I used the effect of fatigue to show that since A causes B, then C which is caused by B is indirectly related to A. Afterwards, I wrapped up the paper with the measures being taken to prevent fatigue as well as a brief concluding statement.