Aircraft Maintenance Documentation

Human Factors in Aircraft Maintenance Documentation

Billy F. Sharbutt Jr.

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University 

Abstract

Accurate documentation and reporting is very important in all aspects of the aviation lifecycle, from conception to disposal. Each aviation maintainer has a tremendous responsibility do his or her part in the documentation and reporting process. Motivation on the individual level ensures that failures and maintenance procedures are recorded accurately. The in flight emergency originating from documentation errors at St. Johns International Airport is a prime example of the importance of accurate and reliable documentation. Engineers and analysts depend on this data and assume a certain amount of reliability and accuracy in determining whether an inspection requirement needs to be established or its interval changed. There cannot be enough emphasis placed on accurate and comprehensive reporting and documentation in the aviation industry, military or civilian.

Human Factors in Aircraft Maintenance Documentation

The importance of accurate and legible aviation maintenance documentation is highly underestimated in the aviation industry, military and civilian. Every year there are many incidents directly related to incorrect and/or not legible maintenance documentation and reporting. This paper will discuss one of these incidents, which was almost fatal for entire crews. Effects of improper and insufficient documentation and reporting will be discussed along with the author’s impressions and conclusions.

Proper documentation of maintenance and reporting of component failures starts with the conception of an airframe. Throughout the entire lifecycle of an aircraft, documentation should be a top priority. Although there are many programs in place to properly document and report malfunctions and failures of aircraft components, there are still numerous errors. Humans cause most of these errors. Human error can...