In the context of mishaps, what does "human error" typically refer to?

Human error typically refers to unintentional mistakes made by individuals. This concept encompasses actions that deviate from established protocols or guidelines due to lapses in attention, miscalculations, or lack of knowledge, rather than any intention to cause harm or act negligently. In aviation, understanding human error is crucial because it highlights how operators might inadvertently affect safety during operations and maintenance.

By focusing on the unintentional nature of these mistakes, it helps organizations develop better training and procedures that mitigate the risks associated with human involvement in aviation tasks. This understanding can lead to implementing systems that support human operators and reduce the chances of such errors occurring.

The other options involve factors that are either intentional, external to the individual, or related to equipment failures, which do not accurately capture the essence of human error.