Aircraft Emergency Decisions: Cognitive and Situational Variables

Abstract : Military aircraft accidents are important not only to the individuals directly involved, but also to those responsible for preparing and maintaining combat-ready forces for the nation's defense. This report addresses problems underlying aircraft emergency situations. A literature review provided background information, and an analysis of selected accident reports. A workshop was convened to review the state-of-the-art of aircrew emergency decision training, safety research, and behavioral decision theory. A selected set of emergency situations was the basis of a preliminary classification of aircraft emergency situations in terms of several situational and decision making attributes. The classification is based on data derived from interviews with experienced military flying personnel. A taxonomy of emergency situation types was developed, incorporating both situational and task specific elements as cognitive attributes of the decision tasks performed under emergency conditions. On the basis of the taxonomy, three classes of emergency situations were found to be of interest: Situation 1 (predictable) Situation 2 (partly predictable), and Situation 3 (unpredictable). Initial training guidelines are suggested in light of the cognitive requirements of each class.