Pilot error, structural failure percentages

Question

Pilot error, structural failure percentages

inertia4u (Aerospace)

(OP)

8 Sep 01 15:06

I just came across a short entry in Aviation Week's "The Weekly of Business Aviation" which states that pilot error can account for up to 80% of all fatal accidents involving aircraft. My question is, what constitutes the other 20%? Does anyone know the break down percentage wise? For example; Weather accounts for X%, structural failure for y%, system failure z%. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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Nert

Andries (Aeronautics) · Answer 1 · 2001-10-02 02:31:08

Hi,
Regarding the causes of civil aviation accidents the following information comes from a paper presented at the 1991 ICAF Conference by A.J. Emmerson (Safety Regulation and Standards Division, Civil Aviation Authority of Australia)and refers specifically to wide-body airliner accidents before 1986.
Aircraft design, manufacture and maintenance   39%
Flight crew error                              23%
Weather                                        23%
Ground crew error                              4%
Air traffic control                            4%
Passenger error                                3%
Cabin crew error                               2%
Bird strike                                    2%
Other                                          1%
(Figures do not add exactly to 100% due to round-off)

The information is based on research by Wiegers and Rosman: "Safety Information System - A safety profile of Wide-body Commercial Aircraft", Flight Safety Foundation Air Safety seminar, Proceedings 39th Annual Meeting, October 1986.
I hope this is of use to you.
Regards
Andries

inertia4u (Aerospace) · Answer 2 · 2001-10-05 21:03:09

Thank you for your help and time, Andries, I appreciate it.

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Nert

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Pilot error, structural failure percentages