| The problem addressed in this causal-comparative study was to investigate the relationship between the 35-39 and 40-44 age groups in the contribution of pilot human performance variables to 1992, 1993, and 1994 general aviation accidents. This research attempted to narrow the focus of where, within the active pilot population, to look for some of the factors that may be associated with an age-related increase in the risk of becoming involved in a general aviation accident. Data were formally analyzed through use of a two-group discriminant analysis. The dependent (criterion) variable was age. The independent (classification) variables were twelve pilot human performance variables in three divisions of the cognitive system: information processing variables attention/ distraction, memory/forgetfulness, judgment/decision making, and communication; psychological variables habits, motivation, fear/panic, complacency, and personality; and skills/training variables training, experience, and currency. The source of data for this study was National Transportation Safety Board Brief of Accident and Factual Reports for calendar years 1992, 1993, and 1994.;Examination of the data revealed that the 35-39 and 40-44 age groups were more alike than they were different in the contribution of the pilot human performance variables to the general aviation accidents studied. The discriminant function was not found to be statistically significant, indicating that the age groups studied in this analysis did not differ significantly on the pilot human performance variables. In sum, none of the pilot human performance variables were determined to be significant in predicting membership in either age group of accident-involved pilots. Because no significant relationships were discovered, the researcher failed to reject all null hypotheses. The conclusion was that the pilot human performance variables examined in this study did not significantly differentiate between the 35-39 and 40-44 age groups of accident-involved pilots. The possible reasons for the lack of significance are discussed. |
