Ethics in Aviation

 Ethics in the Aviation World

 Sept 11 2021

        Ethics is the standards of what is right and wrong in our everyday actions. In layman's terms, ethics is doing something when no one else is watching. This applies to what we do in our daily lives whether it's picking up a piece of trash from the ground or in the aviation world, doing things by the book when working alone. Ethics is what judges us when making decisions and choices of what we do in life. The right or left when stuck in a fork, the right or wrong. In the aviation world, ethics is what makes sorties safe. Doing things the right way the first time is how everything should be. This ensures the safety of both the passengers, and the aircraft. Maintainers are expected to have an eye for the discrepancies they see and call out if they see a problem. 

        An example of improper maintenance is the ValuJet DC-9 flight 597 incident. On June 8 1995, the DC-9 was accelerating for takeoff and during this time, the right engine exploded. The NTSB investigators found the problem to be a crack in an engine fan blade that should have been detected during an engine overhaul. This was the fault of the overseas maintenance facility that had done the job. This fire destroyed the aircraft, critically injuring 5 crew members and 1 flight attendant.

References:

Velasquez, M. L. (2010, January 1). What is Ethics? Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/what-is-ethics/

Accidents caused by maintenance. (n.d.). Accidents Caused by Maintenance. https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/maintenance_hf/library/documents/media/aviation_maintenance/accidents_caused.pdf