Mitigating Risk – Amidst the Chaos

There have been more high-profile aviation accidents in the last few months than in the last few decades. As we mourn those we have lost and aim not to make assumptions before final reports are completed, we must focus, personally and professionally, on assessing the risk of something similar happening within our aviation enterprises. Amidst the chaos, we have to assess where we stand:

• Could this have happened to me or within our organization?
• What could we do now to mitigate and/or prevent it from happening?
• Are there internal or external elements that we can better manage?

To be fair, these questions are just a starting point for further discussion and critical to the dialogue that must occur at every aviation entity.

Mitigation Occurs Individually and Collectively

There are three primary factors tied to most aviation accidents: systems anomalies, human factors or weather. If each of us can individually and collectively mitigate all three, we are alleviating the burden of aviation.

That burden is tied to the concept of aviation being inherently risky. The real risk lies in the myriad aspects that are out of each aviation entity’s control. This includes the pilots, ground support, controllers, weather forecasters, operational, maintenance and administrative personnel. As the complexity of our systems, technology and infrastructure continues to expand, aviation must evolve with it to minimize the risk.

Understanding Risk

In aviation, risk refers to the likelihood of an event occurring and the severity of its consequences. Risks can emerge from the three primary factors noted above or external threats such as terrorism or security breaches. These risks must be identified early with the likelihood of occurrence, and preventative measures must be put in place.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines safety management as a “systematic approach to managing safety, including the necessary organizational structures, accountabilities, policies, and procedures.” Safety management starts with a proactive safety culture, which might be as simple as making direct changes now.

Risk Mitigation Methods

1. Safety Management Systems (SMS)
A Safety Management System (SMS) is a structured approach to managing safety, focusing on identifying hazards, assessing risks and ensuring that safety protocols are followed.

As you know, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates that airlines and operators implement SMS to comply with safety regulations (FAA, 2020). With this systematic approach, organizations can track hazards and mitigate risks in real time, fostering a culture of safety and vigilance throughout aviation operations.

2. Human Factors and Crew Resource Management (CRM)
One of the most significant sources of risk in aviation is the human in the loop. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) consistently reports that pilot error is a leading cause of aviation accidents. Crew Resource Management (CRM) programs have been introduced to mitigate this problem by enhancing communication, decision-making and teamwork among flight crews. CRM programs encourage pilots and crew members to share information openly and efficiently, reducing the likelihood of mistakes due to miscommunication.

CRM programs also emphasize the importance of leadership, mutual respect and situational awareness in the cockpit.

3. Advanced Technology
The growth of automation, advanced radar and collision avoidance systems has made air travel safer by reducing risk. Implementing automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) and enhanced ground proximity warning systems (EGPWS) has improved pilots’ situational awareness, helping them avoid potential hazards in real time.

Although technology does not solve all aviation problems, many systems can help. For example, autopilot lightens the load on pilots and allows them to focus on other critical tasks. The issue with autopilot is that no one can solely and exclusively rely on it as a singular technique for getting from Point A to Point B.

Similarly, advanced weather radar improves the picture of what a crew will face on a trip. Yet, that picture changes rapidly, and a single image cannot be the end state of any analysis. Weather-related challenges require constant monitoring, and aviation professionals need the flexibility to change the plan, destination or route if and when required.

4. Regulatory Oversight
Aviation regulations inherently reduce risks. The FAA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and ICAO set global standards for training, maintenance, air traffic control and safety procedures. Each organization supports and utilizes best practices aligned with proven safety protocols and practices.

The hassle of routine audits and oversight provides a quality assessment of where an individual and organization stand as it applies to normal operations, administration and overarching risk. It is actually a blessing in disguise.

Why Do We Need a Safety Culture?

A strong safety culture is paramount to mitigate risks. It takes responsibility from the individual and puts it in the collective of the organization. Everyone plays a role, and everyone needs to be continuously learning and vigilant.

Often, the assortment of small things within an organization makes a difference. It may be as simple as a debrief after a flight or maintenance evolution. Open lines of communication where mistakes are discussed without fear of reprisal or retribution allow a safety culture to develop and intrinsically grow stronger.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the bulk of what the industry is doing is working. Aviation remains the safest mode of transportation despite the recent headlines and tragic loss of life.

We are in the refinement stage of development and need to focus on the concept of prevention. We must prevent incidents from occurring by mitigating individual and organizational risks. Technology helps, regulations help and each human in the loop helps as long as we train properly, both physically and mentally, to mitigate the risks we can.

New risks will always emerge; the response to each is grown amidst chaos, but only if we remain vigilant.

References
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (2020). Safety Management System (SMS) for Operators. Retrieved from www.faa.gov
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). (2018). Human Error: The Leading Cause of Aviation Accidents. Retrieved from www.ntsb.gov
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). (2019). Safety Management Manual. Retrieved from www.icao.int