Bowtie Methodology for Risk Analysis of Visual Borescope Inspection during Aircraft Engine Maintenance

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
MDPI AG
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
English
Date
2019
Authors
Aust J.
Pons DJ
Abstract

Background—The inspection of aircraft parts is critical, as a defective part has many potentially adverse consequences. Faulty parts can initiate a system failure on an aircraft, which can lead to aircraft mishap if not well managed and has the potential to cause fatalities and serious injuries of passengers and crew. Hence, there is value in better understanding the risks in visual inspection during aircraft maintenance. Purpose—This paper identifies the risks inherent in visual inspection tasks during aircraft engine maintenance and how it differs from aircraft operations. Method—A Bowtie analysis was performed, and potential hazards, threats, consequences, and barriers were identified based on semi-structured interviews with industry experts and researchers’ insights gained by observation of the inspection activities. Findings—The Bowtie diagram for visual inspection in engine maintenance identifies new consequences in the maintenance context. It provides a new understanding of the importance of certain controls in the workflow. Originality— This work adapts the Bowtie analysis to provide a risk assessment of the borescope inspection activity on aircraft maintenance tasks, which was otherwise not shown in the literature. The consequences for maintenance are also different compared to flight operations, in the way operational economics are included.

Description
Citation
Aust, Pons Bowtie Methodology for Risk Analysis of Visual Borescope Inspection during Aircraft Engine Maintenance. Aerospace. 6(10). 110-110.
Keywords
aviation maintenance, borescope inspection, Bowtie analysis, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), risk assessment, risk management, visual inspection
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Field of Research::15 - Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services::1503 - Business and Management::150313 - Quality Management
Fields of Research::40 - Engineering::4010 - Engineering practice and education::401005 - Risk engineering
Rights