Areas of Expertise

Aerospace Systems

Human factors is an important component of safe aerospace operations. Both ground and flight activities can benefit from the smooth integration of humans, equipment, and rules and regulations. The Dunlap team has been in the forefront in applying human factors principles to military and commercial aviation systems and to spaceflight.

Past Projects

  • Assisted in the analysis of the human factors aspects of an air accident involving an A320 on May 3, 2006 near Sochi, Russia where the aircraft crashed into the ocean when the pilots failed to properly execute a go-around. Provided expert human factors analyses of the accident and the circumstances, actions, and activities that led up to it including the interaction of pilots with the auto-pilot system and psychological distress issues that may have contributed to the crash.

  • Assisted in the analysis of the human factors issues associated with a landing accident at Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil in which the an A320 landed with one engine remaining in climb power, overran the runway, and struck a building.