NTL Record

Title Review of Safety Reports Involving Electronic Flight Bags.
Record ID 44161
Personal Name
Creator
Chandra, D. C.; Kendra, A. J.
Source 35p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration
Publication Date 20100401
Language English
Abstract Safety events in which Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) were a factor are reviewed. Relevant reports were obtained from the public Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) database and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident report database. Of the 67 relevant ASRS reports identified, 32 pertain to use of chart software and 30 pertain to computation of flight performance. Operational outcomes/anomalies and underlying EFB issues are identified. Charts were often in use on the EFB when deviations in heading, altitude, or speed occurred. Zooming and panning the chart display can induce workload and may cause the pilot to miss important information. With flight performance calculations, anomalies included company policy deviations, incorrect computations, and runway incursions. Finally, some pilots who were new to the EFB mentioned that difficulty using the EFB contributed to the event. EFB-related findings from two NTSB accident reports are highlighted. Both of these identified use of an EFB for calculating landing distance as a contributing factor. One issue was that assumptions underlying the performance calculations on an EFB must be presented to the crew as clearly as on paper-based performance tables. A second issue was assessment of the adequacy of training and procedures for using EFB performance calculations functions.
Rosap ID dot:9535
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/9535
TRT Terms Air pilots; Aviation safety; Charts; Navigation charts; Airport runways; Performance measurement; Evaluation and assessment; Human factors
General Subjects Electronic flight bags; Electronic charts; Flight performance calculations; Flight deck; Electronic display
Classification NTL - AVIATION - Air Traffic Control;
NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Human Factors;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Report Number DOT-VNTSC-FAA-10-08; DOT/FAA/AR-10/5
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/44000/44100/44161/efb042010_1_.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository