Implementing an AI Fatigue Risk Management System for Aviation Maintenance SMS: A Technology Enhanced Critical Process Human Factors Safety Plan

Abstract

Commercial aviation maintenance is a safety-critical process that requires adherence to maintenance procedures. Unfortunately, when this maintenance process fails due to human error, it can come as a costly event and potentially keep an aircraft out of revenue service. The researchers have advocated using some form of human factors risk management safety reporting system within a Safety Management System (SMS) framework for airline maintenance to mitigate human error. But the current shortages of aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) create a fatigue inducive environment that calls for better fatigue mitigation. What is the point of having a good SMS and human factors safety reporting system if AMTs are often exposed to hazardous fatigue levels? Strategically, both a strong human factors risk management safety reporting system and a proactive fatigue risk management (FRM) system would have to work complementary with each other to keep the critical maintenance process safe within the SMS framework. With AMT fatigue in United States (US) identified as a problem, the researchers then analyzed the current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FRM system (AC 120-115). From the analysis, the researchers propose a solution in the form of an AI FRM system. To accomplish the proposed AI FRM system design, a research-supported AI integration system framework called CHAAIS was adopted. The proposed AI FRM system complementing a human factors risk management reporting system in SMS could greatly enhance airline safety.

Keywords: AI, Aviation Maintenance, Fatigue Risk Management, SMS, CHAAIS

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005562