FAA Aviation Mechanic General (AMG)Regulations, Records and Human FactorsMedium
A technician is safety-wiring a fuel fitting when a coworker interrupts to ask an unrelated question about a parts order. The technician answers, then resumes the safety-wiring task without rechecking the torque or wire routing already completed, resulting in an incomplete installation. This scenario best illustrates which of the 'Dirty Dozen' human factors?
- AComplacency
- BLack of Assertiveness
- CDistraction
- DNorms
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Distraction
Distraction occurs when a technician's attention is diverted from the task, causing steps to be skipped or forgotten upon resumption of work. The interruption and failure to recheck prior steps is a classic distraction scenario.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Complacency involves overconfidence from repetitive familiarity, not an external interruption.
- B. Lack of Assertiveness involves failing to speak up about a safety concern, not an interruption.
- D. Norms refers to unwritten cultural shortcuts, not a single interruption event.
Distraction (Dirty Dozen)
One of the 'Dirty Dozen' human factors; occurs when attention is diverted from a maintenance task, often causing steps to be missed or forgotten.
- Common cause of incomplete/incorrect maintenance
- Mitigated by task markers or 'stop and review' habits
- Interruptions should trigger a recheck of the last steps performed
- Distinct from complacency (overfamiliarity) or fatigue (tiredness)
Memory trick: Twelve gremlins sabotage maintenance quality—Distraction pulls your eyes away mid-task.