Error chain

Definition

• A series of mistakes that may lead to an accident or incident. Two basic principles generally associated with the creation of an error chain are: (1) one bad decision often leads to another; and (2) as a string of bad decisions grows, it reduces the number of subsequent alternatives for continued safe flight. Aeronautical decision making is intended to break the error chain before it can cause an accident or incident.

References

• Powered Parachute Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2007
• Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2008