Web-based information management system for the investigation, reporting, and analysis of human error in Naval Aviation maintenance

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the development of a Web application to display, analyze, and produce reports of human error involvement and patterns in aviation maintenance mishaps. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System- Maintenance Extension (HFACS-ME) taxonomy, a framework for classifying and analyzing the presence of maintenance errors that lead to mishaps, is the foundation of this tool. The target audience for this tool includes safety and maintenance personnel, mishap investigators, and safety analysts. A review of five areas is needed to produce the Web-based prototype: (1) client/server architectures, (2) database management systems, (3) Web application design, (4) application coding, and (5) usability considerations for a Web/database tool. Collectively, these topics provided a foundation to develop an effective and user-friendly prototype, referred to as HFACS-ME Web. A usability study was conducted using potential end-users. The participants were given both written procedures to navigate through the prototype and an exit survey. The results of the survey, including objective and subjective responses, indicate strong user support for the HFACS-ME Web prototype in concept and implementation and suggest that the training and analysis capability it provides may contribute to a reduction in maintenance errors and ultimately a decreased mishap rate.