ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a discussion of human factors, arguably the overarching concept under which the field of psychology falls in aviation. It discusses the role that psychologists have played in accident investigations, and describes the research that has been done to develop a mishap investigation tool for capturing the human causes of aviation accidents. The chapter focuses on the various levels identified within the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) model. It discusses HFACS in reference to aviation as a method for reporting and investigating mishaps. The chapter argues that broad discussion of the model and its utility in accident investigation will help the reader understand the manner in which psychologists have contributed a substantial amount of work in the area of accident investigation to the aviation industry. The field of psychology has influenced the aviation industry both in education for mishap prevention and in mishap investigation and reporting.
