AME Quality Control & Process Improvement 2

Question 1

Which root cause analysis tool uses a fishbone diagram to categorize potential causes of a defect?

Accepted Answer

Ishikawa diagram

Answer

The Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram organizes potential causes into categories such as people, process, equipment, and environment.

Question 2

In an AME office, a '5 Why' analysis is performed when a pilot's medical file was incorrectly flagged. The technique is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Iteratively asking why until the root cause is identified

Answer

The 5 Why technique repeatedly asks 'why' an event occurred, drilling down until the fundamental root cause is uncovered.

Question 3

A control chart shows a run of eight consecutive data points on the same side of the centerline. This pattern indicates:

Accepted Answer

A special cause that warrants investigation

Answer

Eight or more consecutive points on one side of the centerline is a Western Electric run rule violation signaling a non-random special cause.

Question 4

Which metric best measures the effectiveness of a corrective action implemented after an AME audit finding?

Accepted Answer

Recurrence rate of the same finding after the corrective action

Answer

Tracking whether the same finding recurs after a corrective action directly measures whether the action was effective.

Question 5

Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) differs from Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) primarily in that PDSA emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Learning and deeper analysis of results in the Study phase

Answer

PDSA replaces 'Check' with 'Study' to stress thorough learning and interpretation of results before acting.

(AME) Aviation Medical Examiner Certification Practice Test