US Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Mishaps: Assessment of the Role of Human Factors Using Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS)

Abstract : Background: This study was a 10-year cross sectional analysis of human factors in U.S. military UAV mishaps. Methods: Class A-C UAV mishap reports were reviewed and human factors coded using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). Binary logistic regression was used to create models predicting unsafe operator acts. Results: 133/221(60.2%) UAV mishaps were human related. Predictors of unsafe acts were technological environment and cognitive factors in the Air Force (P < 0.010), organizational processes, psycho-behavioral factors, and crew resource management in the Army (P < 0.001), and work and attention and risk management in the Navy (P < 0.025). The frequency of specific types of unsafe acts differed between the services with skill-based errors more common in the Air Force (P = 0.001) and violations in the Army (P = 0.016). Conclusion: Recurring latent failures at the organizational, supervisory, and preconditions levels contributed to more than half of UAV mishaps. The patterns of latent failures and unsafe acts differed between the services.

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