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Biomedical subjects

M S Borowsky

Publications and source records attributed to M S Borowsky.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

The effect of trans-cockpit authority gradient on Navy/Marine helicopter mishaps.

Navy and Marine Corps helicopter mishaps which had a pilot causal factor assigned were examined to determine if the relative military rank of the pilot and copilot was associated with the rate of occurrence per 100,000 flight hours. All class A and B helicopter flight mishaps for the 11 calendar year period 1980-1990 were examined. Although no statistically significant differences were noted, pairing pilots who were of equal rank yielded the lowest rate, seemingly refuting Elwyn Edward's notion that a flat "trans-cockpit authority gradient" may lead to greater problems in the cockpit than his hypothetical "optimum gradient." Moreover, when copilots flew with pilots who differed by two or more ranks, the largest pilot error rate was revealed. This last finding seems to support Edward's hypothesis that a steep "trans-cockpit authority gradient" may be detrimental to aviation safety.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1992

Flight experience and the likelihood of U.S. Navy aircraft mishaps.

Although the flight experience level of U.S. Navy pilots has not declined in recent years, current budget constraints will eventually lead to reductions in flight hours per pilot. This implies an eventual shifting of the distribution of flight hours. Analyses show that the rate of aircrew factor and pilot error mishaps tends to decrease as pilots' flight experience in model increases. Aviation loss rates are higher during a pilot's first 500 hours in model. This seems to be true no matter if the pilot is simply inexperienced overall or a highly experienced aviator transitioning to a different aircraft. These data suggest, therefore, that if the in-model experience levels of naval aviators decline sufficiently, the mishap rate will increase.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1992

Through the canopy glass: a comparison of injuries in Naval Aviation ejections through the canopy and after canopy jettison, 1977 to 1990.

Two methods of ejection from tactical aircraft are commonly used: jettisoning the canopy prior to seat travel, and ejecting through a closed canopy. This report compares the ejection injury experience of Naval Aviation in each mode during January 1977-August 1990. During that period, 336 through-canopy and 580 canopy-jettison ejections were accomplished. The former group sustained 10.7% fatal injuries, and only 17.0% egressed injury-free. By comparison, the latter cohort incurred only 4.7% fatalities and fully 31.9% egressed without injury. Analysis of patterns of injuries confirms higher G-forces in through-canopy ejections, resulting in not only more injuries, but more severe injuries. In spite of these findings, we discuss the compelling tactical and financial reasons to consider through-canopy systems.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1986

Naval training command mishaps and instructor experience.

Naval Training Command mishaps involving instructor error for a 7-year period were analyzed to determine the specific underlying causes and the relationships with previous instructor experience. The data show that mishap potential is correlated with previous fleet operational and training flight experience. Moreover, certain types of errors tend to manifest themselves at specific experience levels.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1985

Pilot error as a symptom of inadequate stress coping.

Over 700 psychological questionnaires, completed on naval aviators who had been involved in major aircraft mishaps over a 4-year period were divided into two groups. Those collected on aviators who were causally involved in their mishaps were compared with those who had no culpability in their mishaps. Those who were assigned pilot error demonstrated symptoms of having problems with interpersonal relationships, an indication of "acting out" behavior. "Acting out" would be a very typical reaction for the aggressive, non-introspective individual who is not coping with life stresses well. It is hypothesized that the pilot factor mishap might be a symptom of inadequate stress coping as well.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1985

Age and pilot performance.

In military and civilian aviation, pilot age is a major factor which determines if the individual is allowed to continue flying. Many factors, including legal considerations, escalating personnel and training costs, and higher skill levels necessitated by increasing equipment complexity, have generated considerable interest in the development of "age free" criteria to determine continued suitability for aviation duty. Central to this issue is a demonstration that older pilots are not necessarily unsafe pilots. Naval Safety Center data relating mishap rates and causal factors to pilot age are presented and policy implications discussed. Results indicate that there are significant differences in mishap rates and mishap causal factors as a function of age, but these differences are not those which might be expected based on a knowledge of the aging literature.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1983

Naval aviation mishaps and fatigue.

Naval aircraft mishap data were analyzed to determine if statistical relationships among variables generally associated with fatigue and mishap liability exist. Pilots in mishaps were divided into two groups: those who were causally involved and those who were not. The results demonstrated that fighter and helicopter pilots who had worked at least 10 h in the previous 24 were significantly more likely to fall in the causally involved group. Variables related to sleep, continuous duty, missions performed, and hours flown in the immediate past, however, showed no significant relationships with mishap liability. Analysis of mishap rates as a function of time of departure, however, indicated that rates tended to be lowest for flights originating between 0900 and 1800, a result that possibly supports the hypothesis that "circadian desynchronization" contributes to mishaps.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1981

Relationships between U.S. Navy carrier landing accidents and flight experience parameters.

Carrier arrested landing activity of all aviators flying naval attack and fighter aircraft were analized with aircraft accident data to determine whether statistical relationships exist between lifetime and recent experience variables, and accident liability. The results demonstrate that accident potential, though not statistically related to carrier landings in 30-d periods, is significantly correlated with lifetime experience and with landing activity in 7-d periods. The highest accident rates are associated with minimal amounts of total carrier experience. Moreover, accident liability for inexperience carrier aviators is lowest if number of landings in 7-d periods are high.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1981

Relationships between naval aviation safety and pilot flight experience.

Flight activity of all aviators flying naval aircraft and aircraft accident data were analyzed to determine if statistical relationships among lifetime and recent experience variables and accident liability exist. The results demonstrate that accident potential, though not statistically related to flight hours in 30-d periods, is correlated with lifetime flight experience with the higher liability associated with minimal amounts of flight hours and with transitioning into new aircraft.

Accidents, Aviation↗