Developing A new safety culture framework for aviation Maintenance: Preliminary results

Abstract

The aviation maintenance industry operates within a highly complex environment where human factors play a crucial role, and errors made by Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) frequently contribute to aircraft defects. In 2021, over 35% of aircraft accidents were attributed to maintenance-related errors, underscoring the critical need for a robust safety culture within the industry. This study distinguishes between two types of safety culture pertinent to AMTs: maintenance occupational safety culture, which emphasizes personal safety and adherence to workplace safety practices, and maintenance-based aviation safety culture, which covers the broader safety culture within the aviation maintenance sector, particularly how maintenance activities contribute to overall aviation safety and the prevention of accidents. The research aimed to develop and validate measurement tools for both constructs and explore their interrelationships. A survey was created, reviewed by subject matter experts, and distributed to AMTs employed by Part 121 carriers in the United States using multiple distribution channels. Multivariate statistical analyses were conducted to assess the safety culture constructs and examine their interactions. The results of this study contribute significantly to the aviation maintenance field by developing safety culture constructs tailored to aviation maintenance, providing validated tools for assessing safety culture, and offering insights into how these safety cultures differ across AMTs’ demographics. The findings are also relevant for regulatory bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which can use the results to guide the development of more effective safety culture policies and practices within the aviation maintenance sector.