Causal Factors of Hot Air Ballooning Incidents: Identification, Frequency, and Potential Impact

Ashleigh J Filtness; Natassia Goode; Robert W Cook

doi:10.3357/ASEM.3984.2014

Back

Causal Factors of Hot Air Ballooning Incidents: Identification, Frequency, and Potential Impact

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Causal Factors of Hot Air Ballooning Incidents: Identification, Frequency, and Potential Impact

Ashleigh J Filtness, Natassia Goode and Robert W Cook

Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Vol.85(12), pp.1190-1198

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3357/ASEM.3984.2014

Files and links (2)

pdf

PDF - Author's Accepted Version249.18 kBDownload View

Accepted VersionPDF - Author Accepted Version Open Access

url

https://doi.org/10.3357/ASEM.3984.2014View

Published Version

Abstract

accident analysis

aviation

balloonist

human factors

systems safety

Background: Hot air ballooning incidents are relatively rare; however, when they do occur they are likely to result in a fatality or serious injury. Human error is commonly attributed as the cause of hot air ballooning incidents; however, error in itself is not an explanation for safety failures. This research aims to identify and establish the relative importance of factors contributing toward hot air ballooning incidents. Methods: Twenty-two Australian Ballooning Federation (ABF) incident reports were thematically coded using a bottom-up approach to identify causal factors. Subsequently, 69 balloonists (mean 19.51 yr experience) participated in a survey to identify additional causal factors and rate (out of 7) the perceived frequency and potential impact to ballooning operations of each of the previously identified causal factors. Perceived associated risk was calculated by multiplying mean perceived frequency and impact ratings. Results: Incident report coding identified 54 causal factors within 9 higher level areas: Attributes, Crew Resource Management, Equipment, Errors, Instructors, Organizational, Physical Environment, Regulatory Body, and Violations. Overall, 'weather', 'inexperience,' and 'poor/inappropriate decisions' were rated as having greatest perceived associated risk. Discussion: Although errors were nominated as a prominent cause of hot air ballooning incidents, physical environment and personal attributes are also particularly important for safe hot air ballooning operations. In identifying a range of causal factors, the areas of weakness surrounding ballooning operations have been defined; it is hoped that targeted safety and training strategies can now be put into place to remove these contributing factors and reduce the chance of pilot error.

Details

Title: Causal Factors of Hot Air Ballooning Incidents: Identification, Frequency, and Potential Impact
Authors: Ashleigh J Filtness (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Natassia Goode (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
Robert W Cook (Author) - Australian Ballooning Federation
Publication details: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Vol.85(12), pp.1190-1198
Publisher: Aerospace Medical Association
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.3357/ASEM.3984.2014
ISSN: 0095-6562
Copyright note: Copyright © 2014 Aerospace Medical Association, Alexandria, VA. The author's accepted version is reproduced here in accordance with the publisher's copyright policy. The final version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.3357/ASEM.3984.2014
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448945702621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

334 File views/ downloads

1023 Record Views

3 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Web Of Science research areas: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Sport Sciences