5-Why and fishbone
Aviation root cause analysis training
Evidence-led root cause analysis for aviation safety and quality: define the problem, test 5-Why and fishbone hypotheses, consider human and organisational factors, select actions and verify effectiveness.
What this training covers
A finding that stops at “human error” or “procedure not followed” usually comes back. Root cause analysis is the discipline of testing causes against evidence, including human and organisational factors, then checking that the action actually removed the cause.
The course uses 5-Why and fishbone as working tools, not as slogans. Fourteen sections include ungraded scenario decisions with feedback, then a separate sampled examination.
Course evidence at a glance
- 6 classroom-hour equivalent course
- 14 sections with 42 ungraded scenario decisions
- Pass mark 75% on a sampled 12-question examination
Who this training is for
Safety investigators, quality staff, compliance monitoring staff, supervisors, and managers who write or close findings.
Use it when staff close audit findings, occurrence reports, or defect investigations and need a shared method.
Regulatory context
Evidence-led investigation methodology informed by EASA causal-analysis and occurrence-investigation practice. It is not a substitute for a formal investigation procedure.
Local investigation procedures, just-culture rules and reportable-event thresholds still apply.
Course content is maintained against the latest applicable regulatory amendments reviewed as of 10 September 2026.
Assessment and certificate
Learners complete 14 modules with scenario practice and pass a 12-question examination at 75%.
Training coverage
- Problem definition, evidence, and the difference between a symptom and a cause
- Fishbone and 5-Why used as testable hypotheses, not as paperwork
- Human and organisational factors, action selection and effectiveness checks
Related courses
RCA
Root Cause Analysis — 5-Why and Fishbone
Evidence-led root cause analysis for aviation safety and quality: define a problem, test fishbone and 5-Why hypotheses, consider human and organisational factors, select actions and verify effectiveness. Fourteen sections include 42 ungraded scenario decisions with feedback. A separate final examination samples 12 questions from a 24-question bank; pass mark 75%.
65.00 EUR · 6 hours classroom equivalent · certificate on passing
View syllabusRelated topics
Guides
Common questions
Is this an ICAO accident-investigator course?
No. It is method training for organisational investigations, audit findings and occurrence follow-up. Formal accident investigation is a different qualification.