CRM - Communication Holds the Key

Crew Resource Management is defined as a tool to use all available resources effectively to conduct safe and efficient flight operations. Pilot error is obviated when all personnel perform to achieve common objectives of safety and efficiency.

An accident may be attributable to Pilot Error but what needs to be examined is the circumstances that led to the pilot making a mistake.

In December 1978, an airliner with 189 passengers and nine crew on a scheduled flight between Denver and Portland, developed a landing gear problem but crashed before attempting a landing. The inquiry concluded that the flight crew had not monitored the fuel state. The aircraft crashed due to fuel starvation.

In July 1991, a chartered flight with 247 passengers and 14 crew bound for Sokoto (Nigeria) crashed after take off at Jeddah. The inquiry found that the maintenance team that cleared the aircraft had not adequately charged the main wheel tyres. The Ground Manager, who had been in charge of the charter flight, would not accept any delay in departure. The cockpit crew realised there was some problem during the take off run but despite the co-pilots’ caution, the captain continued with the take off. The under-inflated tyres finally burst due to overheating. On retraction of the landing gear, the overheated tyres damaged the hydraulic lines leading to hydraulic failure and loss of control. The aircraft crashed when the pilot attempted a landing.

In November 1996, a scheduled passenger flight with 289 passengers and 23 crew from Delhi took off and was climbing to the assigned flight level. At the same time, a chartered flight with 27 passengers and 10 crew was in-bound to Delhi, descending to the cleared level. Rather suddenly, both the aircraft disappeared from the radar screen. The two aircraft had collided in mid-air and crashed. There were no survivors. The inquiry concluded that the probable cause was non-adherence to ATC instructions by the descending aircraft.