Which human factor can lead to poor decision-making in TFO?

High levels of distraction can significantly impair a person's ability to make sound decisions, especially in high-pressure environments like Terrain Flight Operations (TFO). Distractions divert attention from critical tasks and diminish situational awareness, which is essential for safe and effective flying. When pilots or crew members are distracted, they may overlook important information, misinterpret signals, or fail to respond appropriately to changing conditions. This lack of focus can lead to mistakes or oversight of potential hazards, ultimately compromising safety and operational effectiveness.

In contrast, excessive training, increased experience, and strict adherence to protocols typically enhance decision-making capabilities. While excessive training can lead to complacency in some contexts, in general, well-structured training improves knowledge and skill. Increased experience usually equips pilots with better judgment derived from past encounters, and strict adherence to protocols helps ensure consistency and safety in operations, provided that those protocols are well-designed and appropriate for the context.