This dissertation reviews the three most common categories of causes and factors of aviation accidents. The causes and factors that will be discussed are human performance, the environment and the aircraft itself. Although flying is one of the safest forms of transportation, accidents do happen. It is the job of investigators to determine why the accident happened and who or what was at fault. In the event of an accident, one or all of these factors will be determined as the cause of the accident. It will also discuss one of the most tragic plane crashes in the history of aviation and the human factors involved. During any accident investigation, one of the main objectives is to determine the cause and factors involved in the accident. Determining the cause of the accident would involve finding out why the accident occurred (NTSB, 2010). This can include any mechanical failure related to an environmental problem or even human error which can be a serious cause of a plane crash. All facts, conditions, and circumstances are considered when determining probable cause in an investigation (NTSB, 2010). Determining all possible factors involved in an accident can help an investigator determine all probable causes contributing to the accident. This can also help determine weather conditions whether or not the probable cause could have been avoided. All accidents usually have multiple causes and factors that lead to a series of events causing the accident. Three of the most common causes and factors involved in an accident are the aircraft itself, the environment, or personnel (NTSB, 2010). Personnel factors are the leading cause of aircraft accidents. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in the middle of the document I don't realize that if they hadn't touched the control column, the autopilot system would have corrected itself. Knowing the three most common causes and factors in a plane crash can help investigators in their investigation. Although plane accidents will eventually occur, knowing this information can help reduce the number of accidents and their significance, if any. Works Cited National Transportation Safety Board. (July 30, 2010). Annual Review of United States General Aviation Accident Data 2006. Annual Review NTSB/ARG-10/01, pp. 38-50. Accessed February 6, 2011, from http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2010/ARG1001.pdfDepartment of Transportation and Regional Development. (1996, April). Human Factors in Fatal Airplane Accidents, pp. 2-6. Retrieved February 15, 2011 from http://www.narcap.org/articles/HumanFactorsinFatalAircraftaccidents.pdf