Breaking the Mishap Chain: Human Factors Lessons Learned From Aerospace Accidents and Incidents in Research, Flight Test, and Development

by Peter W. Merlin, Gregg A. Bendrick

NASA Aeronautics Book Series. By Peter W. Merlin, et al. Contains a collection of case studies of mishaps involving experimental aircraft, aerospace vehicles, and spacecraft in which human factors played a significant role. Offered as a learning tool so that future organizations, programs, and projects may not be destined to repeat the mistakes of the past. Written in such a way as to be useful to a wide audience. Each case study includes a detailed analysis of aeromedical and organizational factors for the benefit of students, teachers, and others with an academic interest in human factors issues in the aerospace environment. Each story includes historical background.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Engineering, Aviation

244 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2012

Reviews

[Michal Obarzanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Underestimation or overestimation of limitations of humans or machines is the main cause of disasters.
A very interesting insight into research of flight mishaps.

[Michael Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent evaluation and synopsis of the many ways complex human-machine interfaces and all our assumptions about them can go wrong if we don't pay very close attention to every last detail...in advance!

[Lochie Ferrier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 'Swiss Cheese' model is brought up time and time again, and the dramatic examples here emphasize the importance of plugging the holes. Like the TV show 'Air Crash Investigation' but 10x better.

[yacoob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given that this book is a collection of preexisting documents, it can be a bit exhausting at times. Regardless, the failure modes it presents are very interesting, and you don't have to be an aviation engineer to learn from it. Worth reading, if you work in IT.