Engine Failure During Takeoff Leads to Liability Concerns Over Gauge Markings

Case Overview

This case involves an airplane crash attributed to an engine failure during takeoff. Preliminary investigations indicate that the aircraft engine was equipped with various gauges designed to monitor engine parameters. The pilot utilized these gauges to ensure that all parameters remained within safe limits. However, it has been alleged that the markings on these gauges did not comply with established regulatory standards. This has raised significant concerns regarding the adequacy of aviation warning labels and the potential liability of the manufacturers involved in this incident. An expert in aviation warning labels is being sought to provide insights into the compliance of the gauge markings with industry standards and to help determine liability.

Questions to the Human Factors expert and their responses

Please describe your experience with warning labels, specifically concerning aircraft.

I have extensive experience in human factors, aviation, and product analysis. I have also worked on a case that is still ongoing with a company that was making sand plastic equipment. I performed an investigation into whether there were warning labels missing. During my time at a major manufacturer, I was heavily involved in warning labels and alert systems in the automation/engine department.

What industry standards exist to ensure all gauge markings comply with regulations?

There are rules based on FAA regulations, especially for gauges. One of them is 1410 G, and there are many publications providing details on the instrumentation of aircraft. I have extensive experience here.

About the expert

This expert has over 15 years of experience focused on human factors and safety. He earned his BS, MS, and PhD in psychology from the Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel in Germany. Today, this expert is certified as a Federal Aviation Authority, an Air Transport Pilot, and a Training Center Evaluator. He is a licensed transport pilot who has 3 patents. He is active in his field as a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Psychology-Law Society, and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Previously, he was a Human Factors research scientist at numerous facilities including the National Institute for Aviation Research, Human Solutions, Inc., and General Motors Performance Engineering where he was human factors support on various projects. Additionally, he served as a director of human factors and ergonomics at Zodiac Aerospace and senior human factors researcher at Mike Maroney Aeronautical Center. Most recently, he was the senior UX researcher at John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group where he performed human factors research and user experience guidance. Currently, this expert serves as a human factors scientist at a global consulting firm.

E-1000668

Specialties:

Human Factors