The Silent Saboteur: Fatigue in Aviation Safety


The Silent Saboteur: Fatigue in Aviation Safety

In the high-stakes world of aviation, even the slightest lapse in judgment or performance can have life-altering consequences. Among the “Dirty Dozen” list of human error contributors, fatigue is among the most insidious and underestimated threats to aviation safety (Anonymous, 2024).

What is Fatigue?

Fatigue is more than just feeling tired. In aviation, fatigue refers to mental or physical exhaustion that reduces a person’s ability to perform work safely and effectively. It can be caused by long duty periods, disrupted circadian rhythms, insufficient sleep, or high workload over extended periods.

Fatigue affects a range of cognitive functions, including:

·         Slower reaction times

·         Reduced attention and concentration

·         Impaired decision-making

·         Memory lapses

In short, fatigue degrades the human brain much like alcohol, yet unlike alcohol, it often goes unnoticed by others and even by the fatigued individual (Aldwell et al., 2009).

Why is Fatigue a Significant Threat to Aviation?

Fatigue compromises one of aviation safety's most crucial pillars: situational awareness. Whether a pilot fails to notice a change in altitude, a maintenance technician overlooks a critical inspection, or an air traffic controller misinterprets a call sign, the root cause often comes back to fatigue.

Real-world incidents have demonstrated this risk:

Colgan Air Flight 3407 (2009) – Both pilots were likely severely fatigued. The captain made critical errors that resulted in a deadly stall (National Transportation Safety Board, 2009).

Air Canada Flight 759 (2017)- nearly landed on a taxiway occupied by other planes at SFO, descending to just 59 feet before aborting. The NTSB cited pilot fatigue as a contributing factor, impairing attention and situational awareness during a critical phase of flight (Wallace, 2020).

Fatigue isn’t just dangerous during emergencies—it slowly erodes performance in routine operations, setting the stage for disaster.

Impact on Overall Aviation Safety

The aviation industry is a system of systems. When fatigue creeps into any layer—flight crew, cabin crew, ground support, or air traffic control—it introduces systemic vulnerabilities. This is why fatigue management is a core component of Safety Management Systems (SMS) in modern aviation(Anonymous, 2024).

In addition to operational consequences, fatigue-related errors can lead to:

·         Increased risk of accidents and incidents

·         Higher maintenance costs due to oversight

·         Reduced crew morale and retention

·         Legal and reputational damage for airlines

The Way Forward

Combatting fatigue isn’t just asking people to “get more rest.” It requires:

·         Scientifically informed duty and rest scheduling

·         Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS) backed by data

·         Training personnel to recognize and report fatigue symptoms

·         A just culture where admitting fatigue is not stigmatized

Fatigue will never be eliminated, but by acknowledging it as a persistent threat and proactively managing it, the aviation industry can save lives.

References

Aldwell, C., Mm, A., Ma, A., Df, E., Erospace, A., Edical, M., Ssociation, A., Atigue, F., & Oun-, C. (2009). Fatigue countermeasures in aviation . Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 80(1). https://doi.org/10.3357/ASEM.2435.2009

Anonymous. (2024). The dirty dozen: Common human error factors in aircraft maintenance mishaps. Proquest.com; Superintendent of Documents, Military Airlift Command. https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/dirty-dozen-common-human-error-factors-aircraft/docview/2986252541/se-2?accountid=27203

National Transportation Safety Board. (2009). Loss of control on approach Colgan Air, Inc. Operating as Continental Connection Flight 3407 Bombardier DHC-8-400, N200WQ Clarence Center, New York February 12, 2009 . https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR1001.pdf

Wallace, A. (2020). Taxiway Overflight, Air Canada Flight 759, Airbus A320-211, C-FKCK, San Francisco, California July 7, 2017 NTSB/AIR-18/01. Open GLAM. https://doi.org/10.21428/74d826b1.b1ae638e

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