U.S. Military UAV Mishaps with Human Factors Analysis, 10-Year Study

A 10-year cross-sectional analysis of U.S. military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) mishaps. The study reviewed 221 Class A-C mishap reports, finding 133 (60.2%) were human-related. Human factors were coded using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), with statistical models identifying different predictors of unsafe acts across Air Force, Army, and Navy services.

Use Cases

• Modeling predictors of unsafe operator acts based on technological environment and cognitive factors.
• Comparing patterns of latent failures (organizational, supervisory, preconditions) across different military branches.
• Analyzing the frequency of skill-based errors versus violations in aviation mishap reports.
• Investigating the role of crew resource management and psycho-behavioral factors in system safety.

Strengths

• Analysis is based on 221 reviewed mishap reports, providing a concrete sample size.
• Findings include specific statistical significance values (e.g., P < 0.010, P < 0.001) for predictors in different services.
• Uses a standardized human factors classification system (HFACS) for coding.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation for the underlying dataset are unknown.
• The dataset is described as closed license, restricting access and reuse.
• Last update date and data freshness are unverified.

Provenance

Source

Anthony P. Tvaryanas

Collection Method

Review and human factors coding of Class A-C UAV mishap reports using HFACS.

Time Range

10-year study period (specific dates unknown)

Geography

United States military operations