Statement from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) on the DC Aircraft Accident and Aviation Safety
Posted February 20, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Steven Kemp, Executive Director
skemp@hfes.org
(2020 367-1114
Statement from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) on the DC Aircraft Accident and Aviation Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 20, 2025 - In light of the tragic event involving a commercial airliner and military helicopter in January, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) offers its deepest condolences to the victims’ families. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastating event. Subsequent events have heightened the public awareness of the need for rigorous safety in this domain.
Aviation safety is built upon rigorous engineering, science, and evidence-based practices—members of HFES have developed the bedrock of many of these practices. One evidence-based practice is post-accident evaluation of the elements that fundamentally shape aviation safety—including flight operations, air traffic management, systems integration, and other factors that affect human performance. The elements of aviation safety are complex and interdependent. Thus, it is the rigid adherence to these practices that has afforded an unprecedented safety record of no fatalities involving major U.S. commercial airlines for such a long duration. It is deviation from these that will compromise this safety record.
As a non-profit society composed of scientists and engineers specializing in human factors and ergonomics, including flight deck and air traffic systems, HFES emphasizes the importance of relying on evidence-based analysis and established safety principles when assessing aviation incidents. Further, it is critical to clarify that in the 75-plus years of aviation research and engineering, there have—never—been any elements associated with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA as referenced in public policy initiatives) identified as a causal factor in an aviation collision.
Additionally, as human factors safety expert James Reason famously said, “while human error is often cited in accident reports, it is usually a symptom of deeper systemic factors, not the sole root cause.” Thus, blaming individual error oversimplifies the reality of aviation incidents—resilient system design relies on expertise, rigorous analysis, and comprehensive safety measures to anticipate and mitigate human limitations.
HFES strongly values its vision of “a future in which the reach, relevance, and quality of human factors/ergonomics (HF/E) are greatly expanded by enriching the science and enhancing its impact on solving societal problems”. In support of this vision, we value and celebrate the diversity of students, practitioners, educators, researchers, and other individuals who engage in the profession of HF/E and the stakeholders who benefit from their practice. Indeed, a fundamental principle of the HF/E is the science and design of systems and artifacts that work for all people.
The Human Factors and Ergonomics scientific community possesses extensive expertise in the design and operation of complex, safety-critical systems, including aviation. Our work leverages human-centered design to ensure that systems, procedures, personnel qualification, and training requirements support human performance and minimize opportunities for error. In aviation, this has been shown to increase system resilience to safety challenges and to enhance the capabilities and safety contributions of the dedicated pilots and air traffic controllers who professionally operate and manage the safest aviation system in the world.
We encourage the community to rely on evidence- and science-based analysis and established safety principles when assessing this or any incidents. HFES will wait for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the appropriate bodies to conclude their independent and disciplined work to determine the facts and causal factors involved. NTSB’s findings and recommendations are critical to inform system design, training, policy, and procedural changes to the aviation industry that will enhance safety.
The HFES community leaders and professionals in aviation operations are available to answer questions, provide expert insights upon request, and offer informed commentary and solutions to preserve and enhance our nation’s commitment and achievements in aviation safety. We remain committed to supporting scientific inquiry and advancing human-centered practices that enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability in all aspects of human-technology interaction. Scientific inquiry and results inform sound recommendations based on data, which are more reliable than an appeal to simplistic, potentially misleading conjecture.
For further information or to request to speak with an expert, please contact Steven Kemp, HFES Executive Director, at skemp@hfes.org or (202) 367-1114.
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About HFES
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, founded in 1957, is the world’s largest scientific association for human factors/ergonomics professionals. The Society's 3,500 members work in educational institutions, industry, government and military research centers, and independent consultancies in 58 countries. About 10% are involved in aviation safety and 15% of members are students. HFES is a Federated Society of the International Ergonomics Association.
HFES provides education, builds connections, and advocates on behalf of human factors / ergonomics field—from students to researchers and industry practitioners—and fosters collaboration across the spectrum of professionals to drive forward advances in human factors and ergonomics because HFES believes that the seamless connection between humans and systems, and the connection between research and application, is vital to keeping all human beings safe. HFES constantly engages in advocacy efforts related to safety and health in a variety of industries and supports funding for HF/E research.
Our Mission
The mission of HFES is to advance the science and practice of designing for people in systems through knowledge exchange, collaboration, and advocacy.
Our Vision
A world that works for humans by design grounded in science.
Our Core Values
- Excellence and Professionalism
- Integrity and Ethics
- Diversity and Equity
- Compassion and Respect
- Collaboration and Teamwork