Since pilot error accounts for between one-third and 60 % of aviation accidents , advances in automation and technology could replace some or all of the duties of the aircraft pilots . Automation since the 1980s has already eliminated the need for flight engineers . In complex situations with severely degraded systems , the problem-solving and judgement capability of humans is challenging to achieve with automated systems , for example the catastrophic engine failures experienced by United Airlines Flight 232 and Qantas Flight 32 . However , with more accurate software modeling of aeronautic factors , test planes have been successfully flown in these conditions
Qantas Flight 32
Qantas Flight 32
Aviation safety