Pilot Error in Aviation from a Human Factor Perspective: A Bibliometric Approach

This study aims to examine scientific publications on pilot error in aviation using bibliometric analysis. The Scopus database was searched using the keywords "pilot error" and "aviation" at the title, abstract, and keyword levels; only studies published in English were considered. Data was collected as of September 2025 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. The findings indicate a significant upward trend in publications on pilot error from 1946 to the present. Particularly since the 2000s, the increasing academic interest in human factors, flight safety, and automation has led to a notable increase in the number of publications. Most of these publications appear in sources such as SAE Technical Papers, Human Factors, and International Air Safety Seminar Proceedings, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of the topic. When examined by the author, Baker, S.P., and Li, G. were identified as the most productive researchers. Institutional distribution was highlighted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Northern Illinois University, and NASA Langley Research Center, while national productivity was largely centered in the United States. This demonstrates the US's leadership in pilot error research and its strong academic infrastructure. Document type analysis revealed that most publications were articles (57.5%) and conference proceedings (33%). This finding demonstrates that the topic is actively addressed in both academic and applied research. Overall, the results demonstrate that pilot error research continues to receive increasing interest in the 21st century and has matured as an interdisciplinary field within human factors and aviation safety.