Significance of leadership styles on crew resource management and aircraft accidents

Abstract

Over the past few decades, human error has surpassed system malfunctions as the primary cause of aircraft accidents due to advancements in aviation technology. Crew Resource Management (CRM) has emerged as a pivotal tool to mitigate human errors and optimize operations. Effective leadership is a cornerstone of successful CRM. This study investigates the impact of various leadership styles on CRM performance and its effect on aircraft accidents. By analyzing cockpit voice recorder transcripts and official accident reports from five major accidents per decade between 1970s and 2010s, it is found that both democratic and autocratic leadership, in their extreme forms, can negatively influence CRM skills and cause accidents. While the hierarchical structure of aviation necessitates some degree of autocratic leadership, democratic leadership can foster continuous communication among crew members, a vital aspect of safe operations. Our findings suggest that flight leaders should adopt a contingency-based leadership approach, adapting their style to the specific demands of each situation to ensure safe and efficient flights. This research contributes to airline CRM training programs and flight safety policies. Its evidence-based findings provide practical guidance for educators to design effective CRM training. Analyzing crew conversations during crises offers valuable insights for trainees/students to understand appropriate leadership.