The Dirty Dozen

A maintenance engineer repaired a problem with the hydraulic system at the end of his shift. However, he didn’t write a clear note in the logbook or tell the next team about the work. The following morning, the crew thought the system hadn’t been checked and reported it again. This wasted time and created confusion.

Lack of Communication: Clear communication could have prevented the problem.

A dispatcher was calculating fuel for a long-haul flight when his phone rang. After the call, he continued the task but forgot to include extra fuel for possible weather diversions. The pilots only noticed the mistake during the pre-flight check, which delayed the departure.

Distractions: They may seem small, but in aviation, they can cause serious consequences.

During takeoff preparations, the co-pilot noticed that one of the readings on the instrument panel looked unusual. He suggested a second check, but the captain ignored him, insisting that “everything is fine.” Because they didn’t work together, the crew wasted more time later when the problem became obvious.

Lack of Teamwork: Aviation safety depends on teamwork and respect for each role.

During approach, the first officer realized the captain had entered the wrong runway into the navigation system. However, he hesitated to speak up strongly because he didn’t want to appear disrespectful. The mistake was only corrected after the air traffic controller intervened.

Lack of Assertiveness: A clear, assertive warning could have avoided the error. In aviation, silence can be dangerous.

A new flight attendant joined the crew on an international flight. During the safety drill, she was asked to operate the emergency slide but didn’t know the correct procedure. She became nervous and pulled the wrong handle, delaying the exercise.

Lack of Knowledge: Training and preparation are essential in aviation. In a real emergency, this lack of knowledge could have endangered passengers.

A mechanic had been working for 12 hours with very little rest. While finishing a late-night repair, he forgot to tighten several screws on an engine panel. The error was only discovered during a routine inspection after the flight.

Fatigue or tiredness: Fatigue reduced his attention and memory. Long hours without rest are dangerous in aviation maintenance.

In one maintenance team, it had become “normal” not to use the checklist because “everyone already knew the steps.” Over time, this habit led to several small errors. One day, a technician forgot an important step, and the aircraft was delayed.

Norms: Bad habits, even if accepted by the team, can be very dangerous. Rules and procedures exist to protect safety.

A captain had flown the same route hundreds of times and always trusted the weather to be calm. Before departure, he didn’t check the latest weather report because he believed it was “always fine.” However, during the flight, a sudden storm appeared. The crew faced turbulence and delays that could have been avoided.

Complacency: Confidence without checking facts can create unnecessary risks.

A technician was asked to replace a damaged part of the aircraft’s landing gear. However, the correct spare part wasn’t available at the hangar. To avoid delaying the flight, he tried to fit a similar piece that wasn’t designed for that model. This created a risk for future operations.

Lack of resources: Without proper resources, even experienced workers can make unsafe choices.

During severe turbulence, passengers began to panic. A flight attendant felt overwhelmed and couldn’t remember the standard instructions. Instead of calming the passengers, she shouted, which created more fear.

Stress: It reduced her ability to think clearly and act professionally. Managing stress is vital to keeping everyone safe in emergencies.

During landing in heavy fog, the pilots concentrated on their landing checklist. They didn’t realize the aircraft was descending faster than planned. Only at the last moment did the warning system alert them, and they corrected the mistake.

Lack of Awareness: This loss of awareness nearly caused an accident. Situational awareness means always knowing what is happening around you.

The ground crew knew the flight was already delayed by 30 minutes. The airline manager reminded them that the company could lose money if the departure was late. Feeling under pressure, the team skipped part of the safety checklist to save time. Although the aircraft departed on schedule, important checks were never completed.

Pressure: It can lead to dangerous shortcuts that could turn into catastrophes.