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Software contributions to aircraft adverse events: Case studies and analyses of recurrent accident patterns and failure mechanisms

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  • Favarò, Francesca M.
  • Jackson, David W.
  • Saleh, Joseph H.
  • Mavris, Dimitri N.

Abstract

Software is central to aircraft flight operation, and by the same token it is playing an increasing role in aircraft incidents and accidents. Software related errors have distinctive failure mechanisms, and their contributions to aircraft accident sequences are not properly understood or captured by traditional risk analysis techniques. To better understand these mechanisms, we analyze in this work five recent aircraft accidents and incidents involving software. For each case, we identify the role of software and analyze its contributions to the sequence of events leading to the accident. We adopt a visualization tool based on the Sequential Timed Event Plotting (STEP) methodology to highlight the software's interaction with sensors and other aircraft subsystems, and its contributions to the incident/accident. The case studies enable an in-depth analysis of recurrent failure mechanisms and provide insight into the causal chain and patterns through which software contributes to adverse events. For example, the case studies illustrate how software related failures can be context- or situation-dependent, situations that may have been overlooked during software verification and validation or testing. The case studies also identify the critical role of flawed sensor inputs as a key determinant or trigger of “dormant†software defects. In some cases, we find that software features put in place to address certain risks under nominal operating conditions are the ones that lead or contribute to accidents under off-nominal or unconsidered conditions. The case studies also demonstrate that the software may be complying with its requirements but still place the aircraft in a hazardous state or contribute to an adverse event. This result challenges the traditional notion, articulated in most standards, of software failure as non-compliance with requirements, and it invites a careful re-thinking of this and related concepts. We provide a careful review of these terms (software error, fault, failure), propose a synthesis of recurrent patterns of software contributions to adverse events and their triggering mechanisms, and conclude with some preliminary recommendations for tackling them.

Suggested Citation

  • Favarò, Francesca M. & Jackson, David W. & Saleh, Joseph H. & Mavris, Dimitri N., 2013. "Software contributions to aircraft adverse events: Case studies and analyses of recurrent accident patterns and failure mechanisms," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 131-142.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reensy:v:113:y:2013:i:c:p:131-142
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ress.2012.12.018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Saleh, J.H. & Marais, K.B. & Bakolas, E. & Cowlagi, R.V., 2010. "Highlights from the literature on accident causation and system safety: Review of major ideas, recent contributions, and challenges," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 95(11), pages 1105-1116.
    2. Herrera, I.A. & Woltjer, R., 2010. "Comparing a multi-linear (STEP) and systemic (FRAM) method for accident analysis," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 95(12), pages 1269-1275.
    3. Saleh, Joseph H. & Pendley, Cynthia C., 2012. "From learning from accidents to teaching about accident causation and prevention: Multidisciplinary education and safety literacy for all engineering students," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 105-113.
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    Cited by:

    1. Favarò, Francesca M. & Saleh, Joseph H., 2016. "Toward risk assessment 2.0: Safety supervisory control and model-based hazard monitoring for risk-informed safety interventions," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 316-330.
    2. Foreman, Veronica L. & Favaró, Francesca M. & Saleh, Joseph H. & Johnson, Christopher W., 2015. "Software in military aviation and drone mishaps: Analysis and recommendations for the investigation process," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 101-111.
    3. Favarò, Francesca M. & Saleh, Joseph H., 2018. "Application of temporal logic for safety supervisory control and model-based hazard monitoring," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 166-178.
    4. D'Anniballe, A. & Silva, J. & Marzocca, P. & Ceruti, A., 2020. "The role of augmented reality in air accident investigation and practitioner training," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    5. Mohammadnazar, Hojat & Pulkkinen, Mirja & Ghanbari, Hadi, 2019. "A root cause analysis method for preventing erratic behavior in software development: PEBA," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).

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