The Emergence of Crew Resource Management - Essay Example

Emergence of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and how it contributes to safe flight Name Institution Emergence of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and how it contributes to Safe Flight Abstract Crew Resource Management (CRM) recorded among the emerging trends in the aviation business that enhances quality and, safety of services offered. The purpose of this piece is to explore CRM in broad and, it presents two contrasting examples of bad and, good CRM practices. For instance, the Boeing 737-300 of Avia Traffic Company showed how crew actions and, working together resulted in safe landing of aircraft in challenging conditions. In contrast, the Lion Air Boeing 737-800 shows how bad CRM actions can result in an accident that seriously affects the operations processes for the aviation industry when it crashed into the sea. Introduction This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the Crew Resource Management and, the variables that determine it. Crew Resource Management (CRM) has continued to dominate most of the aviation safety and, training in the contemporary times. Research and studies on aviation safety and, experts have proved that CRM is a critical aspect as it has enhanced safety measures and quality, especially, currently with the increased air transportation worldwide. The piece uses examples from two contrasting accident incidences related to CRM that have impacted safety in the negative and, positive way. It concludes by summing up the importance of CRM and predicts it’s evolving in the future. Body The emergence of CRM as a concept in the aviation industry has increased in the present times. The reason given is that studies in aviation accidents and, incidents related to safety have shown that in many instances, the major courses results from human error (Loftis, 2015). Therefore, as a way to remedy the noted concerns, CRM training and concept continues to increase and incorporated by many stakeholders worldwide involved in aviation transport industry (Learmount, 2014). CRM touches on many aspects for the aviation crew that includes the interpersonal and communication skills for crew members, as well as, incorporation of the technical aspects and knowledge of the pieces of equipment. It, therefore, focuses on the procedures used for aviation operations, the functioning of different pieces of equipment and, the people involved in the crew (Helmreich, Merritt & Wilhelm, 2009). It combines an approach and training skills that help the CRM to combine the stated factors and, produce a synergy that would enhance aviation safety and, hence, execution of successful flights missions. Aviation safety encourages faster decision- making processes that are sound backed by rational reasoning, especially, in emergency situations. Such considerations, therefore, have determined to a large extent the courses, skills and, knowledge offered for CRM training. The skills and knowledge, thus, which include team-building, enhance communication, promote problem-solving, and encourages situation awareness and decision-making dominate the contents of CRM training. The research and studies from past accident incidences related to aviation point out human error as the lead cause of aviation accidents notes that failure to execute the mentioned skills correctly and, appropriately have led to many accidents. Hence, such skills and, knowledge from CRM impacts positively in many ways in reducing aviation accidents (Baker et al., 2009). The positive results that CRM has brought in terms of reducing the number of accidents in the aviation industry have made the CRM training adapted by many international aviation safety authorities in many countries and regions and, have been used as standard measures for many training. Militaries that include air force and Navy teams have also embraced the CRM as observed in the contemporary times. It indicates that CRM training offers pragmatic solutions and, reinforces actions that promote and, enhances safety such as communications, problem-solving, and decision-making among others based on an analysis of available resources and, experience (Helmreich & Merritt, 2000). CRM intends to eliminate the barriers that discourage team-work by encouraging all to participate and, own the safety affairs of the crew irrespective of the hierarchy in the flight crews and, decision-making incidences by encouraging cooperation from all parties involved. There are numerous examples in the aviation industry where good CRM are demonstrated in the world and, thus, led to safety. One example noted in a recent incident involving a Boeing 737-300 aircraft operated by Avia Traffic Company that obtained a substantial accident at Osh Airport, in Kyrgyzstan. The flight YK768 originated from Russian Krasnoyarsk Airport to its destination in Osh in Kyrgyzstan. However, due to poor visibility in the initially intended destination, the crew was forced to divert in Bishtek, where it landed at 05: 20 hrs (Aviation Safety Network, 2015). After improvement of visibility at the originally intended destination at Osh, the aircraft continued to the destination and, upon landing experienced a runway incursion. The left hand gear and, the number 1 engine broke off. The incident resulted in no fatalities of the five crew or 148 occupants on board. The incident occurred on the 22nd of November 2015. Analysis of the incident The incident presents a good example where application of the correct CRM action results to saving of the property and, the lives of those on board. The decision that the crew took when noted that the visibility was poor at the intended destination of Osh airport and, thus, diverted was recommendable. It indicates issues relating to the CRM training that include decision-making instances informed by a good situation analysis, procedural and, problem-solving techniques. Poor visibility has caused many accidents not only in the aviation industry, but also other transport industry that use road among others. Bearing in mind that the life of the crew and passengers, as well as, the aircraft as a property is important, the act shows how CRM when correctly applied can result to enhanced safety. Poor visibility prevents pilots and other crew members from making correct decision and, possible cause of accidents due to poor visibility. The diversion as much as it would have disappointed many passengers who had hoped for timely arrivals, it indicates the crew followed the CRM training and, hence, resulted to safe landing at a different destination. The crew of the flight upon requesting and, asserting that the situation was good, they embarked on the journey to the originally intended destination. It indicates the communication and procedural competencies for the crew. It saved on time and, resources such as fuel, rather than flying around waiting for visibility to improve in order to land at the intended destination. Despite the aircraft experiencing an incursion upon landing, the passengers and flight crew arrived safely. Flight incursion results from many factors such as technical errors or external factors such as weather among others. It tends to make us imagine how worst could the incident have been had the crew proceeded to the intended destination despite realizing that there was poor visibility. The incidence would have even resulted in worse, disastrous accident events. Despite the left gear and, number engine of the aircraft breaking off upon landing, the crew managed to control the aircraft on the single runway and, it indicates the crew possibly applied safety and, procedural steps as noted in the manuals relating to such technical incidences. In the noted case, a good CRM is noted that stipulate most of the skills and, knowledge that crew members need to enhance safety and, hence, successful operations. It indicates the communication aspects that they used to communicate with the air traffic control to inform them of weather situation and, give them consent; the procedural actions required in the aircraft flights such as opting for alternative action in the event of lack of clearance from the airports. It also indicates correct decision-making incidences from the crew and, asked for clearance before proceeding to the intended destination among others steps that enhances safety. CRM, thus, when correctly applied, can result in enhanced safety for crew and, passengers in the aviation business as noted in the described case. There are also incidences where bad CRM have been demonstrated and, hence, compromised on the safety of aviation incidences resulting in accidents with fatal and, disastrous results. An example is noted in the Lion Air Boeing 737-800 that happened on the 13th of April 2013. It was on a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Banding to Densaper. It crashed into the sea just short of runway 09 at the destination resulting from the crew non-precision approach and, continued when the required reference was lost below Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) (Sky Brary, 2015). The fortunate incident that happened in this scenario is that all the crew and passengers that totaled to 108 in number were rescued with no fatal incidences except four who sustained serious injuries. The high numbers of people were saved as there was no fire that broke up. There was absence of visual reference, but the pilot continued with the approach, which is questionable and against the procedural expectations. At the time the pilot called for a go around, the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) annunciation had reached ‘twenty’ and, this made it almost impossible to change the situation. Analysis of the scenario There are many incidences of the CRM that were omitted and, hence, resulted in the accident. Others were wrongly executed by the crew. The non-precisions approach used, inadequate airport operator procedures and, in effective monitoring resulted in the accident that was so much avoidable bearing in mind that the crew had flew safely until the landing time at the destination that the accident occurred. The first action that failed to incorporate the CRM skills, knowledge and, requirements is noted when the pilot of the aircraft failed to follow the procedure and, principals required that states that airspeed on approach should be maintained by use of power and, vertical speed maintained by vertical flying attitude. The inappropriate variation noted resulted from transition from the automatic to manual flight at MDA that led to variation of rate of descent and, aircraft pitch. Had the crew followed the stated principles and, procedures, it would have given them the correct approximation in the rate of descent and, pitch. CRM, hence, was badly used and, applied. The pilot of the aircraft also acknowledged that the weather changed and, it became dark and, rainy, when they were planning and executing the landing process and, procures. However, they did not take any action as required in the situation analysis in CRM to execute actions and, measure depending on the situations that develop. It, thus, indicates ignorance in both failing to take action and, follow the required procedures required in the aviation safety as pointed out in the failed procedures and, principles. Had they followed the requirements as stipulated in the CRM, It would have possibly avoided the accident. Lack of communication and, proper teamwork contributed to the incident noted when both pilots recognized that the flight path had become unstable below the MDA with descending rate exceeding 1000 feet, but failed to consult and take the necessary actions and, procedures required in such scenarios as required by the principles and, rules of safe flight actions and, procedures. It led to poor decision-making and, ultimately, resulted to the accident which goes against the requirements and, expectations in the CRM. The decision that the pilot had made of ‘go around’ when they noticed danger would not be effective and, successful in instances that there was no sea. It would require another 30 feet of descent before the climb could begin according to the aircraft’s manual. The noted inconsistencies in CRM, thus, resulted in many aspects of the accident. It demonstrates a bad CRM use. Discussion/Conclusion The two examples indicated above show clearly why CRM is an important factor that reinforces safety and, thus, should be embraced by all concerned stakeholders in the aviation industry. The use of good CRM must be encouraged to improve the performance of all those involved in the aviation industry. It not only enhances safety procures, in the aviation sector, it also results to long- term sustainable business due to the loss that it avoids and, shield, such as loss of aircraft and, trained, as well as, experienced crew from accident incidences (Salas et al, 2006). Continuous research and, studies about safety concerns should be encouraged to, further, improve the CRM procedures and, procedures in relation to the trends of the future bearing in mind that situations are dynamic and, ever changing. CRM has to incorporate the global trends and, training that enhances the safety and, quality improvement in the aviation industry. With globalization concept, the crew must be acquainted with necessary skills in terms of communication such as multi- lingual skills, information technology skills and, evidence-based practices among the main factor to be included in the CRM so that it enhances safety and, quality. The best practices and, experience, thus, be used to develop and, formulate the standards expected in the world and, encourages all parties to incorporate them to better improve aviation business globally. Words 2117 References Aviation Safety Network (2015). Accident description. 22 Nov 2015. Boeing 737-3Y0, Avia Traffic Company. 24 Nov 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20151122-0 Baker,D., Prince, C., Shrestha, L., Oser, R. & Salas, E. (2009). Aviation Computer Games for Crew Resource Management Training. The International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 3(2): 143-156. Retrieved From: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327108ijap0302_4 Helmreich, R. L., Merritt, A. C. & Wilhelm, J. A. (2009). The Evolution of Crew Resource Management Training in Commercial Aviation. The International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 9(1): 19-32. From: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327108ijap0901_2 Helmreich, R.L., & Merritt, A.C. (2000). Safety and error management: The role of Crew Resource Management. In B.J. Hayward & A.R.Lowe (Eds.), Aviation Resource Management 2 (1):107-119 Retrieved From: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.98.7195&rep=rep1&type=pdf Learmount, D. (2014). NBAA: Flight Safety Foundation highlights bizav credentials. 19 Oct 2014. Flight Global. 24 Nov. 2015. Retrieved From: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/nbaa-flight-safety-foundation-highlights-bizav-credentials-404907/ Loftis, R. L. (2015). ‘D/FW airline disaster in ’85 helped start wind of change.’ 02 Aug 2015. FSF IN THE NEWS. The Dallas Morning News. 24 Nov. 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/20150801-dfw-airline-disaster-in-85-helped-start-wind-of-change.ece Salas, E.,Wilson, K. A.,Burke, C. S. & Wightman, D.C. (2006). Does Crew Resource Management Training Work? An Update, an Extension, and Some Critical Needs. The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 48(2): 392-412. From http://hfs.sagepub.com/content/43/4/641.short Sky Brary (2015). ‘B738, vicinity Denpasar Bali Indonesia, 2013 (CFIT HF).’ 25 Jan.2015. Accidents and Incidents. 24 Nov 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/B738,_vicinity_Denpasar_Bali_Indonesia,_2013_(CFIT_HF) Read More