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The crew of an aircraft encounters total loss of both electrical power generators. The electrical sources remaining are the batteries which are designed to provide power for 30 minutes. The crew detects the failure but does NOT complete the check-list and does not disconnect non-essential electrical equipment. The nearest suitable aerodrome is 20 minutes away, but the Commander decides to continue to destination, which is 30 minutes away. During the approach to the destination aerodrome a complete electrical failure is encountered and critical flight instruments are lost. Which statements best describes the decision-making errors in this scenario?
  • A
    Once the crew decide on their course of action, they fail to review their choice. In this type of emergency, it is important to make an immediate decision, as soon as the checklist is started.
  • B
    The error lies in the implementation phase of the decision-making process: the decision to continue to the destination is a good one, since the batteries should last for 30 minutes, but the crew fail to follow the flight plan.
  • C
    The crew misinterpret the situation, and the decision to continue to the destination is a consequence of this. Since they do NOT collect and evaluate all the relevant information about the electrical failure, a review of their decision is NOT necessary.
  • D
    The crew correctly recognise the failure, but they act incorrectly regarding the checklist, they fail to properly assess the risk associated with the problem, they poorly evaluate the available options, and they fail to review their decision.

In this scenario, there are several decision-making errors made by the crew:

  • Failure to complete the appropriate Checklist: The crew correctly detects the failure of both electrical power generators, which is a good initial response. However, they make an error by not completing the appropriate checklist. Checklists are designed to guide pilots through critical procedures and ensure that all necessary actions are taken to address the issue. By not completing the checklist, they may overlook important steps or fail to identify potential risks.
  • Continuing to use non-essential electrical equipment: Even after detecting the failure, the crew continues to use non-essential electrical equipment. This decision could further drain the limited power supply from the batteries and reduce the available time to make critical decisions or take corrective actions.
  • Failure to properly assess the risk: The crew does not adequately assess the risk associated with the problem. They are aware that the batteries are expected to last for only 30 minutes, but they do not consider the consequences of using non-essential electrical equipment and how it may impact the remaining power reserve.
  • Poor evaluation of available options: The Commander decides not to divert to the nearest suitable aerodrome, which is 20 minutes away. Instead, they choose to continue to the destination, which is 30 minutes away. This decision shows poor evaluation of available options, as diverting to the nearest aerodrome would have been a safer choice given the limited remaining battery life.
  • Failure to review the decision: After deciding to continue to the destination, the crew does not review or reassess their decision, even when faced with a complete electrical failure during the approach. A lack of review means they miss the opportunity to recognize the increasing risk and reconsider their plan.

In summary, the crew correctly recognizes the initial failure but makes a series of decision-making errors by not completing the checklist, continuing to use non-essential electrical equipment, poorly evaluating options, and failing to review their decision. These errors lead to a critical situation during the approach to the destination, with the loss of critical flight instruments due to a complete electrical failure.

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