FAA Aviation Mechanic General (AMG)Regulations, Records and Human FactorsEasy
A technician has performed the same 50-hour inspection on the same model of engine hundreds of times and begins to skip verifying torque values because 'it's always been fine before.' This attitude is an example of which human factors hazard from the 'Dirty Dozen'?
- AComplacency
- BDistraction
- CLack of assertiveness
- DPressure
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Complacency
Complacency is overconfidence based on repeated experience that leads a technician to reduce vigilance and skip verification steps, believing a problem is unlikely because it has never occurred before.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Distraction involves attention being diverted, not overconfidence from repetition.
- C. Lack of assertiveness involves failing to speak up, not skipping steps from overconfidence.
- D. Pressure involves time or workload stress forcing shortcuts, not habitual overconfidence.
Complacency (Dirty Dozen)
A human factors hazard where overconfidence from repeated successful outcomes leads to reduced awareness of risk.
- One of the FAA/Transport Canada 'Dirty Dozen' maintenance error factors
- Often caused by repetitive, routine tasks
- Countered by following checklists regardless of experience level
Memory trick: 'Dozen dangers dwell in every dull, doubted duty.'