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Human Factors

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Submitted By toddross1
Words 1053
Pages 5
HFACS Written Project By Todd Ross

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Abstract American Airlines flight 1420, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, Crashed at the end of runway 4R at Little Rock Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas. Human Factors (HFACS) play a major role as flight crew decision making abilities were evident. A few human factors played into this accident and as a post accident investigation concluded, this accident could have been prevented is the right pre-causations were done. Options were provided to weather cancel, or divert into other areas that had better weather. Inclement weather conditions were the external factor that played a major role in this accident, however weather can be avoided in most cases. Other aspects that were avoidable errors made by humans were pilot fatigue and the confusion to the ground emergency personnel that cause a response time delay.

Executive Summary Flying under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 on an instrument flight rule, American Airlines flight 1420, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, N215AA, crashed as it lost control on landing causing the aircraft to overrun the end of runway 4R. Flight 1420 departed Dallas/Fortworth approximately 2240 with 2 flightcrew members, 4 flight attendants and 139 passengers. According to the NTSB, the determined that the probable cause of this accident were the flight crew failures to discontinue the approach with severe weather present at the airport. Contributions to the accident were the flight crews impaired performance and situational stress that were the result of fatigue environmental issues. The approach landing exceeded the maximum crosswind allowance and the use of reverse thrust was greater than the engine pressure ration after landing. Ultimately the captain and 10 passengers were killed, the

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