Module Learning Outcomes Assessed:

1.       Demonstrate an understanding of the regulatory framework underpinning safety and security operations in the aviation industry

2.       Critically assess the human aspects of devices and procedures required to achieve safety in the air and on the ground

3.       Evaluate the use of a variety of rules and technology in the pursuit of aviation security

4.       Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of Emergency Planning Procedures

Task and Mark distribution:

1. Compare and contrast two different aviation disasters, the lessons learnt from the disasters and the impact they had on the aviation business. One of your disasters will be the Tenerife disaster which occurred on 27 March 1977 (classified as a safety disaster), and the other will be a security disaster of your choice.

In your report, you can use any appropriate academic resources when discussing the security disaster; however, when discussing the Tenerife disaster, you must refer to two academic journals, in addition to other appropriate academic sources:

Weick, K. (1990) ‘The vulnerable system: an analysis of the Tenerife Air Disaster’. Journal of Management 16 (3), 571-593

McCreary, J., Pollard, M., Stevenson, K., and Wilson, M. (1998) ‘Human Factors: Tenerife Revisited’. Journal of Air Transportation World Wide 3 (1), 23-31

Suggested Word Count: ±2000 words

You should firstly choose a security disaster to analyse, as per the classification model delivered in class. You should briefly describe the two disasters (the Tenerife disaster plus a security disaster), and then discuss the operational, managerial, and regulatory aspects of the incidences, the lessons learned and any changes that were introduced as a result of the disasters. Using original and insightful reflection, look for connections and common themes in the explanations for each of your chosen disasters.

1. Using Alexander’s Disaster Cycle (2002) as a framework, critically evaluate the emergency response to the Kegworth accident on 8 January 1989 which was the last major aviation disaster in the UK. You should analyse the response to the disaster in the context of the four main segments of the Cycle: Mitigation, Preparation, Response and Recovery.

Suggested Word Count: ±1000 words

You must write a case study which critically evaluates the performance of all key stakeholders when responding to the Kegworth accident. Be mindful that actions before the event (Mitigation and Preparation) affected actions after the event (Response and Recovery). You will need to engage with a range of literature to formulate your critical evaluation, including the official report into the accident, academic journals and media reports. You may also wish to include within the critical evaluation reference to existing disaster management strategies, found in the Manchester Airport Emergency Orders and the bmi Emergency Response Procedures Manual.

Having completed the evaluation of the emergency response with the Disaster Cycle providing a framework, it may be appropriate to then briefly assess the value of Alexander’s model.