Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
individual
What campus are you from?
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Kaylee Lall, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Kaylee Lall
Faculty Mentor Name
Flavio Antonio Coimbra Mendonca
Abstract
"In December 2023, a Guyana Defence Force Bell 412EP helicopter crashed in mountainous jungle terrain near the Venezuela border, killing five of the seven personnel on board. Preliminary investigation findings indicate the probable cause of the accident was pilot error, rather than mechanical failure. Due to deteriorating weather conditions, the crew deviated from the standard route and elected to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) along the Mazaruni River. The combination of limited visibility, rising mountainous terrain, and potential spatial disorientation likely contributed to this controlled flight into terrain.
This case study applies the SHELL model to analyze the interactions between liveware-software, liveware-hardware, liveware-environment, and live-liveware components in order to examine the human factors contributing to the accident. Critical components such as situational awareness, decision-making under stress, and the interface between human and technological components within the recently introduced Bell 412EP are highlighted. Additionally, organizational factors such as possible training gaps and limited familiarity with modern avionics systems are identified as contributors that may have increased operational risk.
By mapping these relationships within the SHELL model, this study underscores the critical need to align human performance with the demands of complex aviation systems and to enhance the decision-making skills to prevent future accidents. The analysis reveals that the combination of adverse weather conditions, limited visibility, and continued operation under VFR elevated pilot’s workload and stress levels subsequently impairing situational awareness. This accident illustrates how the interplay between human performance, environmental conditions, and equipment limitations can escalate into critical errors. Integrating human factors, training, and technology consideration within the SHELL model provides a structured pathway for enhancing safety and resilience in modern military aviation operations. "
Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
No
Crew Resource Management Analyzed in Guyana Military Accident
"In December 2023, a Guyana Defence Force Bell 412EP helicopter crashed in mountainous jungle terrain near the Venezuela border, killing five of the seven personnel on board. Preliminary investigation findings indicate the probable cause of the accident was pilot error, rather than mechanical failure. Due to deteriorating weather conditions, the crew deviated from the standard route and elected to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) along the Mazaruni River. The combination of limited visibility, rising mountainous terrain, and potential spatial disorientation likely contributed to this controlled flight into terrain.
This case study applies the SHELL model to analyze the interactions between liveware-software, liveware-hardware, liveware-environment, and live-liveware components in order to examine the human factors contributing to the accident. Critical components such as situational awareness, decision-making under stress, and the interface between human and technological components within the recently introduced Bell 412EP are highlighted. Additionally, organizational factors such as possible training gaps and limited familiarity with modern avionics systems are identified as contributors that may have increased operational risk.
By mapping these relationships within the SHELL model, this study underscores the critical need to align human performance with the demands of complex aviation systems and to enhance the decision-making skills to prevent future accidents. The analysis reveals that the combination of adverse weather conditions, limited visibility, and continued operation under VFR elevated pilot’s workload and stress levels subsequently impairing situational awareness. This accident illustrates how the interplay between human performance, environmental conditions, and equipment limitations can escalate into critical errors. Integrating human factors, training, and technology consideration within the SHELL model provides a structured pathway for enhancing safety and resilience in modern military aviation operations. "