FAA Aviation Mechanic General (AMG)Regulations, Records and Human FactorsEasy

Two technicians are each assigned to service opposite wings of an aircraft but never confer on the work being done. As a result, both technicians assume the other checked the flap rigging, and it is never verified. Which Dirty Dozen factor caused this gap?

  1. ANorms
  2. BLack of Teamwork
  3. CLack of Communication
  4. DComplacency
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. Lack of Teamwork

Lack of Teamwork occurs when individuals fail to work together and coordinate responsibilities on a shared task, causing gaps like an item both assumed the other had completed.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Norms are unofficial habitual shortcuts, not a one-time coordination failure.
  • C. Lack of Communication is about failing to transfer specific information (e.g., a shift-change note), whereas here the problem is failure to coordinate roles at all.
  • D. Complacency involves false confidence from repeated exposure, not a coordination gap.

Lack of Teamwork (Dirty Dozen)

A human factor describing failure to work cooperatively and coordinate tasks/responsibilities with others on a shared job.

  • Different from Lack of Communication, which is about information transfer
  • Leads to duplicated work or, as here, unassigned/unverified tasks
  • Mitigated by clearly defined roles and task assignment briefings

Memory trick: 'Two hands, no coordination' — both assume, neither confirms.

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