UAS Mishaps and Accidents

Module 7 focused on UAS mishaps and accidents and BVLOS operations. A few pertinent issues that were explored are as follows:

·        What are hazards and risks when it comes to aviation operations?

The biggest hazard/ risk when it comes to aviation operations are those that are presented by human error. There are numerous factors that may lead to human error, one of which is automation and automated functions on manned and unmanned aircraft. This week I performed research into a UAS accident that was caused by a combination of automated functions and the lack of checks performed on the configuration of the UAS before the flight operation. For flight safety to be achieved, a balance between human interaction and automation must be met by UAS systems.

·        What tools can be used to mitigate risks to BVLOS operations?

In BVLOS operations, sense and avoid (SAA) systems can be used to mitigate the risk introduced by the pilot not being able to determine the orientation of the UAS with unaided visuals. Training on lost link scenarios may also better equip operators to handle such situations, and default functions such as return-to-base may be used in conjunction with SAA systems to take control of the UAS until the link is restored. Risk assessments must be performed before BVLOS operations commence to ensure that risks are identified and can be mitigated.

·        How have human factors contributed to the UAS mishap and accident rates?

Human factors have been proven by reports to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to be a significant contributor to UAS mishap and accident rates, however a study conducted by Kevin W. Williams titled “A Summary of Unmanned Aircraft Accident/Incident Data: Human Factors Implications” showed that the percentage of involvement of human factors issues varies from 21% to 68%, electro-mechanical failure was the bigger causal factor than human error was (Williams). Pilot experience and training is at the forefront of preventing accidents and dealing with unforeseen hazardous situations that occur during flight, such as the loss of the command and control radio link. Training to handle such failures is a human factor that can prevent many of the accidents which failures in technology would otherwise cause.