| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident having happened again at one_organization:
- American Airlines experienced a software failure incident in April where multiple flights were delayed due to the iPad app used by pilots crashing [51371].
(b) The software failure incident having happened again at multiple_organization:
- United Airlines faced a similar issue in July when thousands of flights were grounded across the US due to a "network connectivity issue" [51371].
- In June, United Airlines also had to ground flights due to "automation issues" [51371]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the article where American Airlines experienced a widespread outage due to a computer malfunction. The malfunction led to a ground stop at multiple hubs, affecting flights from Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Miami. The article mentions that the issue began around midday local time and continued until mid-afternoon, impacting the airline's operations [51371].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is evident in the same article where American Airlines had to ground large parts of its fleet due to a computer malfunction. The grounding was a result of connectivity issues that led to a ground stop at the Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Miami hubs. The airline spokesperson mentioned that they were working to resolve the connectivity issues and get customers on their way as soon as possible, indicating operational challenges caused by the software failure [51371]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) The software failure incident reported in Article 51371 falls under the within_system category. The incident was caused by a computer malfunction within American Airlines' system, leading to a widespread outage that forced the grounding of flights from multiple hubs. The issue was related to connectivity problems and system errors, as mentioned in the article. The failure originated from within the airline's own system, specifically affecting their operations and causing disruptions to flight schedules [51371]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
- The article mentions that American Airlines was forced to ground large parts of its fleet after a computer malfunction led to a widespread outage. The issue began around midday local time and continued until mid-afternoon. The airline did not provide specific details on what caused the malfunction, and the Federal Aviation Authority's advisory only detailed it as "airline issues" [51371].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
- The article does not provide specific information indicating that the software failure incident was directly caused by human actions. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident related to hardware:
- The article mentions that American Airlines delayed multiple flights in April after the iPad app used by pilots crashed. The cockpit iPads, which are part of the hardware, are used as an "electronic flight bag" but failed across the airline on 29 April [51371].
(b) The software failure incident related to software:
- The main incident reported in the article is about American Airlines grounding large parts of its fleet due to a computer malfunction, leading to a widespread outage. The issue was related to a computer malfunction, indicating a software failure [51371]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident reported in Article 51371 does not indicate any malicious intent behind the failure. It was described as a computer malfunction that led to a widespread outage affecting American Airlines' operations. The article mentions that the issue began around midday local time and continued until mid-afternoon, causing flights to be halted in several major hubs. The Federal Aviation Authority's advisory only detailed it as "airline issues" without suggesting any malicious activity [51371].
(b) The software failure incident in the article falls under the category of non-malicious failure. It was attributed to a computer malfunction that caused connectivity issues, leading to a ground stop at multiple American Airlines hubs. The airline spokesperson mentioned that they were working to resolve the issue and get customers on their way as soon as possible, indicating that the failure was not intentional but rather a technical issue [51371]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The software failure incident involving American Airlines' grounding of its fleet due to a computer malfunction could be attributed to poor decisions. The incident was part of a series of US airlines experiencing delays or cancellations due to computer errors. In April, American Airlines faced delays when the iPad app used by pilots crashed, affecting multiple flights. The introduction of the cockpit iPads as an "electronic flight bag" was meant to replace paper manuals, but the failure of the app across the airline on 29 April caused disruptions [51371]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence is evident in the article as American Airlines experienced multiple issues with their software systems. In April, the airline faced delays when the iPad app used by pilots crashed, causing disruptions to flight schedules. This incident highlighted a failure in the software system that was introduced in 2013 to replace paper manuals with electronic flight bags. The malfunction of the iPad app, which is a critical tool for pilots, showcases a potential lack of professional competence in the development or maintenance of the software system [51371].
(b) The software failure incidents occurring accidentally are also apparent in the articles. For instance, in July, United Airlines had to ground thousands of flights due to a "network connectivity issue," and in June, they faced flight disruptions due to "automation issues." These incidents suggest that the software failures were not intentional but rather accidental occurrences that impacted the airlines' operations [51371]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
(a) The software failure incident reported in Article 51371 was temporary. The American Airlines computer malfunction led to a widespread outage that began around midday local time and continued until mid-afternoon on the same day. The issue was resolved, and the airline was working to get customers on their way as soon as possible [51371]. |
| Behaviour |
crash |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in Article 51371 involved a crash. American Airlines was forced to ground large parts of its fleet due to a computer malfunction that led to a widespread outage. Flights from multiple hubs were halted, and the issue lasted for several hours until it was resolved [51371].
(b) omission: There is no specific mention of the software failure incident being related to omission in the provided article.
(c) timing: The software failure incident did not involve timing issues. The system did not perform its intended functions due to the crash, but there was no mention of the functions being performed too late or too early.
(d) value: The software failure incident did not involve the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. It was primarily a crash that led to a widespread outage.
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident did not exhibit behaviors of inconsistency or erratic responses typically associated with a byzantine failure.
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident in this case was primarily a crash that resulted in the system losing its state and not performing its intended functions, leading to a widespread grounding of flights by American Airlines [51371]. |