Stress in Association with Flight Safety - Research Paper Example

? Flight Physiology Introduction Flight physiology refers to the effects of flight on the mental and physical conditions of the crew members as well as the passengers of the flight. In general, the human body has to adapt to the different surroundings where they are exposed to. In regard to aviation or flights, the environmental changes are significant and include distinct changes in barometric pressure, significant difference in temperature, and there occurs high speed movement in three dimensions (Introduction to Aviation Physiology, n.d., p. i). There are several human factors or physiological principles that are capable of affecting the safety of flights. The present study focuses on one of these factors – the factor of stress – and hence determines how this factor affects the safety of a flight. Stress in Association with Flight Safety: Definition Stress in relation to the safety of flights has been defined by Dr. Hans Selye as “a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize” (Stress in Aviation, 2012). Another simplified definition has been given by Richard S Lazarus that defines stress as “a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize” (Stress in Aviation, 2012). Stress has been found to be one of the most significant factors leading to several incidents of accidents in the aviation flights. Mostly the pilots get affected as a result of stress. Studies reveal that there are several factors that lead to accidents in flights. However, stress is one of the factors that may actually lead the other factors and affect the flight safety (Stress in Aviation, 2012). Effect of Stress on Safety of Flights: The effects of stress in association with aviation safety are mostly felt on the pilots. What is more, the effects may also be felt on the members of the crew and the passengers since stress affects almost all human beings. When an individual is affected with stress, physically the person would suffer from neck and shoulders muscles getting tensed, headaches or pains in the back, aches in stomach, or feeling of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, tiredness, rapid heartbeat that is not normal, excessive sweating, clenched teeth, changes in the patterns of breathing. Emotionally the person tends to become frustrated and nervous when stressed. In such cases the individual may perform destructive behaviors as well. They may create errors in their works, and tend to get excessively worried (Stress in Aviation, 2012). These symptoms reflect clearly that the effects of stress can be severe enough to create huge damages to the safety of the flights. Pilots of different flights experience different amounts of stress. The success or failure of the flights depends on how they react and manage their stress. The air traffic control is also associated with significant amounts of stress. The stress occurs from the complexity in the nature of the job that requires “balancing the controlling and deconflicting of numerous aircraft in an efficiently, expeditiously and safe manner whilst also catering for contingencies such as weather development and aircraft emergencies” (Stress in Aviation, 2012). There are other tasks related to aviation that cause stress and hence the safety of the flight is a matter of significant concern in this regard. For instance, the maintenance of the flights involves huge stress since the maintenance has to be completed in a fixed amount of time which is generally a short frame of time. Without proper maintenance the safety of the flights cannot be guaranteed. Hence the stress is even more (Stress in Aviation, 2012). Even when conditions and environments are normal for the flights, the pilots and other crewmembers suffer from significant stresses since the environment of the flight includes “stressors such as noise, vibration, decreased barometric pressure, and accelerative forces. Fatigue and altered sleep-wake cycles also may be factors, especially for crewmembers on flights that span several times zones” (Stress in Aviation, 2012). The causes of these stresses may be physical stressors like changes in temperature, changes in the pressure of air, vibration of the aircraft that is transmitted to human body, the high levels of noise, poor lightings in the areas of work, confined spaces and poor visibility owing to fog and other improper conditions of the weather and surroundings (Stress in Aviation, 2012). Psychological stresses occur from the work tensions where the pilots or the crew members may be worried about their performances or the passengers may be worried about the successful landing of the flights. At times, certain interpersonal problems may also cause stress among the pilots, crew members or the passengers (Stress in Aviation, 2012). Stress and fatigue that result from stress eventually affect the successful execution of the mission and hence the safety of the flights. Moreover, there may be conflicts and violence among the members as a result of such stress. Severe errors might occur and individuals might tend to consider shortcuts in order to lessen the stress leading to severities in their actions associated with the safety of the flights. The learned procedures and skills may be forgotten as a result of such stress thus not allowing the correct implementations of the flight process as well as landing (Stress and Fatigue in Flying Operations, n.d.). Mishap in Aviation Recorded as a Result of Stress The effects of stress in safety of flights may be illustrated through a review on flight mishaps that have been recorded to have occurred as a result of stress. A study conducted by the NTSB suggested that the crash of the Pilatus flight at Butte in Montana in the year 2010 was primarily owing to some stress that the pilot was under. Both the pilot as well as 13 passengers of the flight was killed in the crash. The study revealed that the flight was headed for Bozeman. However the pilot instead diverted the flight towards Butte that was close to Bozeman. The study suggests that this diversion of the flight made by the pilot was a result of some stress that the pilot was suffering from (Danko, 2010). The diversion undertaken by the pilot could be more associated with stress since the pilot had not asked the controlled for any clearance before he undertook the measure. Rather he had asked for the clearance after he had deviated the flight from the route. This is considered as a mistake on the part of an experienced pilot and FAA could justifiably take actions against the pilot, since such an action cannot be expected from such an experienced pilot. In this case, the pilot had also descended from the altitude that he was assigned to. It was after that he asked for the clearance which was considered as another deviation that the pilot had made. He had asked for the clearances repeatedly then that too reflected the stress that the pilot was suffering from. “Pilots are quick to alert air traffic control of any mechanical problems they may be having. Personal physical problems are a different matter. But without actually telling air traffic control he was ‘having a problem’, maybe the pilot did communicate just that” (Danko, 2010). Another incident of flight crash has been reported reflecting the effect of stress. The crash of Air France 447 was associated with the effects of stress on the pilot of the flight leading to his errors and hence the crash causing death of all passengers on board. Studies reveal that there were several symptoms that indicated that there were some problems with the pilot. However, the crew members neither realized the indications nor took any preventive measures that could be considered. “The autopilot shut itself off when the air speed indicators failed and the plane “handed itself” to the co-pilot. For the next several minutes, it should have been a pretty benign situation, but the flight crew made some inexplicable decisions and ultimately the plane crashed in the ocean” (Air France 447 crash – such mistakes can be prevented, n.d.). Thus, the incident clearly reflects the fact that error was made by the pilot owing to some stress. However, if the indications could be judged by the crew members then the crash could have been prevented. Countermeasures While, on the one hand, stress is a significant factor affecting the safety of the flights, studies, on the other hand, also reveal that such effects may be prevented. This may be achieved through timely recognition of the symptoms of the stress effects, being proactive in removing the stress as early as possible, removing oneself from the situation that is causing the stress, prioritize actions in the cockpit, thereby allowing other important actions to be considered rather than focusing on the stress, remaining familiar with all the present procedures and rules related to the work, as well as by rendering the proper supervision on the works and actions of the pilots as well as the crew members and passengers (Stress in Aviation, 2012). Conclusion From the above study, it can be concluded that stress is a significant factor affecting the safety of the flights. Stress has the capability to affect the pilots as well as the crew members such that they might make errors in their actions leading to severe accidents and crashes of the flights and deaths of several lives. However, it can also be concluded from the study that such effects arising from stresses may be prevented with initiatives and cooperation from the pilots and crew members as well, which can be considered to be the most needful in maintaining the safety of flights. References Air France 447 crash – such mistakes can be prevented. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2012, from http://drgrandville2.wordpress.com/category/flight-safety-2/ Danko, M. (2010). Pilatus Crash at Butte: New NTSB Reports Show Pilot Under Stress. Retrieved November 23, 2012, from http://www.aviationlawmonitor.com/2010/12/articles/accident-investigation-1/pilatus-crash-at-butte-new-ntsb-reports-show-pilot-under-stress/ Introduction to Aviation Physiology. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2012, from: http://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/airman_education/media/IntroAviationPhys.pdf Stress and Fatigue in Flying Operations. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2012, from http://www.cavalrypilot.com/fm1-301/ch3.htm Stress in Aviation. (2012). Retrieved November 22, 2012, from http://aviationknowledge.wikidot.com/aviation:stress-in-aviation Read More