CAA NZ AME Human Factors case studies
CAA NZ AME Human Factors · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Human Factors subject is part of the CAA NZ aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence pathway under Part 66. The CAA's own AME licensing material now sits under the Engineering section of aviation.govt.nz, alongside the Part 66 AME licence syllabuses, guidance on recognising foreign AME licences and type rating information for AMEL holders. The CAA NZ AME Human Factors case studies are 5 cases and about 2,926 words.
1Night-Shift Borescope Inspection Under Fatigue and Schedule Pressure
At 02:40 on the fourth consecutive night shift, an AME is completing a borescope inspection on the high-pressure turbine of a Q300 engine. The shift began at 14:00, with one 20-minute break; the engineer has already inspected three engines and is now on the fourth.
653 words, about 3 min2Missed Lightning-Strike Damage After an Anchoring Entry
During a scheduled 100-hour inspection, an AME is asked to examine the composite wingtip and metallic attach points of a light twin after a reported lightning strike. The pilot's report says 'minor scorch mark on the tip'; the previous engineer has already written 'no damage found' in the work pack.
601 words, about 3 min3Missing Wrench in a Fuel-Tank Area Before Charter Release
A 7/16-inch combination wrench is missing from an open tool tray after an access panel was refitted on a fuel tank. Three engineers have worked in the area across two shifts.
574 words, about 3 min4Ambiguous MEL Deferral and the 'Already Deferred' Pressure
An AME on night shift is reviewing a defect entry for a twin turboprop: 'Pressurisation erratic in climb, ops normal after level off.' The aircraft is under an MEL that allows operation with the pressurisation system inoperative, provided a specific procedure is used. The previous shift has already written 'MEL applied, category C, 10 days' and placed a placard.
537 words, about 3 min5Signing for a Duplicate Inspection That Was Never Performed
After replacing an elevator control cable on a Cessna 208, a licenced engineer completes the rigging check and then asks a colleague to perform the required duplicate inspection. The colleague is already late for another job and says, 'You've done it, just sign both boxes; I'll trust you.' The engineer signs the first box and, after a pause, signs the second box with the colleague's initials.
561 words, about 3 min