Instrument Failure, Stress, and Spatial Disorientation Leading to a Fatal Crash With a Large Aircraft.
Journal:
Aerospace medicine and human performance
PMID:
29046181
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An aircraft's orientation relative to the ground cannot be perceived via the sense of balance or the somatosensory system. When devoid of external visual references, the pilot must rely on instruments. A sudden unexpected instrument indication is a challenge to the pilot, who might have to question the instrument instead of responding with the controls. In this case report we analyze, from a human-factors perspective, how a limited instrument failure led to a fatal accident.