COCKPIT INTERRUPTIONS AND DISTRACTIONS: A LINE OBSERVATION STUDY

Abstract

Preliminary findings about the scope and nature of concurrent task demands on the flight deck are presented. We begin with a detailed description of the typical operations (flows and checklists) involved in the preflight phase of flight. We amplify these descriptions with observations during scheduled, part 121 flight operations. We find numerous and varied events that interrupt and generally distract pilots from their prescribed duties. To respond to such distractions, pilots are forced to interleave novel activities with habitual, well-practiced sequences of actions. In doing so, they continuously engage in the making of decisions involving adding, shedding, and/or rescheduling actions. Opportunities for errors increase dramatically as distractions continuously threaten to sidetrack even the most meticulous and experienced pilot.

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