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"It is necessary for us to learn from others' mistakes. You will not live long enough to make them all yourself." (Hyman George Rickover) |
Today’s air safety record is a result of the mistakes of others and the following accident investigations. You too can improve your competence in your field by understanding the mistakes that others have made.
Some good sources to research include:
· Accident and incident reports (sometimes available in different fields).
· Books, magazines, and websites.
· Discussions with others in the field.
· Biographies of individuals and companies.
Some of the best accident reports are from aviation. Many of these reports highlight mistakes that others in different fields could make. The lessons learned are just as valuable in other fields as they are in aviation.
Let’s look at an example. A passenger aircraft crashed into a Florida swamp in December 1972. The entire flight crew of three was focusing on changing a faulty undercarriage light in the cockpit. Everyone thought the plane was on autopilot, and nobody noticed the aircraft descend into the swamp. This highlights the danger of fixating on one issue for extended periods, while not looking after “the bigger picture.”
As you read about the mistakes made by others, both in your field and outside, think of your current training or activities. Could you make similar mistakes? Consider adding items to your assertion lists to help reduce the likelihood of such mistakes.
Lastly, try using a simulator or visualization to replay circumstances that have led other people to accidents. Try to recreate some common mistakes that others make. What would you do differently?