Contributing Cause
Definition
An evidenced condition or action contributing to a failure sequence. Establish its relationship to the event using physical observations and appropriate technical analysis. A defect or damaged part does not automatically identify driver responsibility or the sole cause.
- Context
- Failure investigation
For example, a damaged component may contribute to a failure sequence without being its sole cause or establishing a person’s legal responsibility.
Distinguish pre-existing conditions from event and recovery damage.
Related terms
- Barrier Analysis
- Barrier analysis examines the safeguards intended to prevent or limit an adverse event and asks how their presence, absence or failure affected...
- Fatigue Striation
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- Fractography
- Fractography is examination and interpretation of fracture surfaces to investigate how a material failed. It combines observed features with material properties, loading...