Complacency

Complacency is an ongoing, significant safety threat in aviation. Complacency is a feeling of well-being and/or invulnerability knowing that what you are doing (or checking, or reading, or expecting) will always turn out ok, be correct, or perhaps work out the same way as in the past. Obviously, this is not always the case, and there have been many aircraft accidents (caused both by pilot and maintenance folks) where complacency was a contributing factor. One of the simplest methods to avoid complacency is to try to be actively engaged in your work. For example, if you are a pilot, and you are conducting a pre-flight walkaround, really look at those pitot tubes and static ports. In flight, make sure you verify your FMS/GPS waypoint entries (as per your SOPs!). It sounds pretty basic, but you'd be surprised how often things get skipped, missed, or forgotten about and lead to really bad outcomes.

For the maintenance technicians, don't skip steps because they seem unimportant. There are a lot of maintenance-related aircraft accidents that have occurred simply because the final safety net (a required functional/operational check) was skipped, with complacency being the likely reason for these deviations. Maintenance technicians' explanations for skipping these checks include:

• "I just don't have the time"
• "It's always ok"
• "My work is so meticulous, there's no need to check it"
• "I'll skip it just this one time, it'll be fine"

Those are complacent mindsets and they need to be avoided at all costs!

Always assume something will be wrong, or has changed. Be a detective. Dig. Explore. Question. Search. If you are working alone, without the benefit of an extra set of eyes, and you are responsible for your own work, ALWAYS, ALWAYS double check your work!

You'd be surprised how many things you will catch just by changing your attitude and mindset regrading complacency. Stay focused my friends!

Dr. Bob Baron?conducts aviation safety training, consulting, and program implementation for aviation operators on a global basis.

Sensitive and knowledgeable about various cultures, Dr. Baron uses his 35+ years of academic and practical experience to assist aviation organizations in their pursuit of safety and quality excellence. He has extensive experience working with developing nations and island countries. He also provides training and consulting to some of the largest airlines and aircraft manufacturers in the world, as well as civil aviation authorities and accident investigation bureaus.

If your aviation organization is interested in improving its culture, implementing programs such as Human Factors, SMS, SSP, or LOSA, or have an external, unbiased safety audit/Gap analysis, please get in touch.

Dr. Baron’s company, TACG, provides numerous training, consulting, and auditing services. For more information, please go to https://www.tacgworldwide.com/Aviation-Safety-Courses