Which statement is true regarding an undesired aircraft state in the TEM model?

In the context of the Threat and Error Management (TEM) model, an undesired aircraft state specifically refers to situations where the aircraft is in an unsafe or abnormal condition due to actions or decisions made by the flight crew that have compromised safety margins. This concept emphasizes the importance of the human factor in aviation safety, recognizing that flight crew-induced errors can lead to scenarios where the aircraft operates outside its ideal parameters.

The correct statement highlights that these undesired states typically arise from the choices or actions of the flight crew, which can include deviations from standard operating procedures, lapses in situational awareness, or inadequate responses to evolving situations. In these cases, the focus is on how crew decisions directly impact the safety of the flight.

Understanding this is crucial as it underlines the responsibility of flight crews to maintain situational awareness and adhere to protocols to prevent such undesired states. Other scenarios, like equipment malfunctions or air traffic control (ATC) errors, may indeed contribute to safety risks but are not classified as undesired aircraft states in the way that crew-induced deviations are. Instead, they might be considered as threats that could lead to error, but the specific definition of undesired aircraft states centers on human actions rather than external factors.