Analysing Incident Reports for Factors Contributing to Air Traffic Control Related Incidents

Abstract

A total of 36 air traffic control incident investigation reports were analysed, identifying five main contributing factors: lack of concentration, methodology, handover, lack of training and fraseology. A number of background factors with possible relations to the occurance of incidents were also selected. The most important background factors were traffic intensity and work shift. Experience in terms of time as controller and time since the controller was checked out in his present position also seems to play a major role. A cluster analysis confirms the above conclusions as well as giving indications of effects of individualized ways of working.