Automatically Wrong

Abstract

Automation-induced errors have been causal factors in many recent aviation accidents. Until this study, no in-flight data were available to investigate the response of commercial pilots in responding to an automation-related accident scenario. As part of an evaluation of airplane upset recovery training approaches, 40 pilots were exposed to an aircraft accident in which automation was determined to be a factor. This accient was the China Airlines Airbus 300–600 accident in Nagoya Japan. The accident occurred during an ILS approach in which the aircraft began a steep pitch up due to an inadvertent activation of the Go Around Mode. A Veridian Learjet in-flight simulator was used to collect the data. An inflight simulator is a flyable aircraft whose stability and control characteristics and inceptor characteristics can be easily varied and changed while flying in order to emulate those of a simulated aircraft. Only twelve out of 36 pilots (i.e., 33%) recovered. Pilots responses in relation to the automation are discussed.