Checklist: Stay Aware To Prevent Rote Callouts

The National Transportation Board has investigated several incidents in which pilots made callouts out of habit or on what they expected to see without verifying that the cockpit indication matched the callout. 

For example, an MD-82 crashed after takeoff with the flaps retracted after the first officer called out the proper flap setting, not the indicated setting, but the flaps were not set for takeoff. 

A Boeing 757 overran the end of a runway in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The pilot had called out “deployed” although the speed brakes had not been deployed and “two in reverse” although neither reverser was fully deployed. Because of the rote callout, the captain failed to recognize that the brakes and thrust reverser had mechanical defects and did not manually deploy them 

All pilots can be vulnerable to making errant callouts if they become complacent and allow habits and expectations to affect their responses, the NTSB warns. To help, pilots should take steps to direct attention, verify the status of a checklist item and make callouts using standard phraseology to reduce the chances of error. 

To avoid rote callouts, be sure you see and verify each cockpit indication by adopting a methodical pace when reading or responding to checklist items.  

Here are the NTSB's tips on how to prevent them:  

* See whether the aircraft’s performance is changing by cross-checking related indications. A callout of “flap fifteen” may be accompanied by a change in pitch altitude and airspeed, so know what to expect on the other instruments and not just the flap position indicator. '

* Watch for an indicator’s color change and do not anticipate it before it happens. A thrust reverse indicator, for example, is often amber when reversers are in transit but green when they are fully deployed. 

* Give and receive a proper response to checklist callouts. Nods, mumbles, nonverbal signs or other improper or nonstandard phraseology are unacceptable. 

* Implement a “sterile cockpit” when callouts are expected to prevent nonoperational distractions. Radio calls, for example, can interrupt or drown out a callout. Stay focused and repeat the callout if needed.

* Be the example. If your callouts are crisp and you catch any missed indications, your fellow pilot will likely do the same. 

* Add callout awareness to the preflight briefings. Be ready to verbalize every discrepancy. Awareness is a large part of the solution.