Variables:
I seriously doubt that any pilot or manager starts their day out “intending” to have an accident. Life, however, has a way of interjecting variables. “Variables” are manageable via risk assessments and a culture of safety first!
We all know what a perfect flight “should” look like…so when the first variable occurs it “SHOULD” trigger a risk response…”what just happened” and what it could mean to the remainder of the flight. One variable is easily dealt with; two start a potential error chain and so on.
A strong safety culture, supporting the pilots’ decision to call for confirmation, consult with other more experienced pilots and finally deviate a necessary to avoid the variable (risk) is necessary. A “just culture” element in an operation is essential.
As we know many accidents are at the end of an “error chain”…early recognition (risk awareness) and action (safety culture) will often stop the inevitable.