Human Factors
Which statement about fatigue as a maintenance human factors hazard is correct?
Answer
A fatigued technician is frequently a poor judge of his or her own level of impairment
A key danger of fatigue is that impaired individuals tend to underestimate how impaired they are, so self-assessment is unreliable and external safeguards are needed. Fatigue degrades both physical and mental/cognitive performance, not strength alone. Caffeine only masks symptoms temporarily and does not restore lost sleep.
Source: FAA-H-8083-30B, Chapter 14, Human Factors — Dirty Dozen (Fatigue).
Not the answer
- Fatigue reduces physical strength only and has no effect on judgment or decision-making
- Caffeine fully reverses the performance loss caused by inadequate sleep
Practice this
The FAA Aviation Mechanic General knowledge test is 60 questions and takes 42 correct — 70% — to pass. The app’s page carries a free ten-question test drawn from the same bank, marked as you go.
Take the free practice test