ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Catching Up With Dr. Sabrina Woods Senior Human Performance Investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board
What are you doing now? I very recently achieved what I consider as my “dream job.” I am a senior human performance investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board. I get to take what I have learned about human performance and human error and apply it post-accident or significant incident. In doing so I hope to help build better mitigations and an operating environment better suited to absorb the inevitable human error. How did the College of Aviation contribute to your work today? Access to a phenomenal library of research materials that I still use today, and a platform for building a solid network of like-minded aviation and safety professionals. The College of Aviation helped open many doors I would have not known even existed. How do you think the aviation industry will change in the future? The focus is definitely shifting from a technology- based approach to aviation safety, to threat and error management and how the human exists and is able to function within the complete system. What role do you think Embry-Riddle might play in the future of Aviation? As a premier aviation institution, Embry-Riddle will have a positive impact that will shape the future of the industry.
As a young Aircraft Maintenance Officer in the United States Air Force witnessing the aftermath of a tragic F-16 accident, Sabrina Woods knew her path was about to alter forever. Twenty years later, she has taken her desire to understand human error and channeled it into a career as an investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board. How did you get interested in Human Factors? Through the Air Force. I was an aircraft maintenance officer, mostly working on fighter aircraft. Later I also trained to be an accident investigator; I both loved and excelled at it. It wasn’t until working on my first fatal aircraft accident that I knew I wanted to do something different, however. I wanted to learn more about what causes human error and how to protect against it. Why did you decide on Embry-Riddle? In my mind, it was the best. They offered great human factors courses and who better to learn more about aviation from than a university focused on aeronautics?
Shining Example Approximately 1,700 domestic air carrier, commuter, air taxi and general aviation accidents and incidents happen each year — some resulting in destruction of property, significant injury or even loss of life. The College of Aviation’s education, safety management program training and safety processes are a key asset in ensuring the continued decrease of these mishaps and the future of aviation.
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