When a component causes other systems to degrade, what is this referred to?

The concept of a primary failure is associated with the initial failure of a component that subsequently impacts other systems or components in a negative way. When this primary failure occurs, it can lead to a chain reaction where other systems start to degrade in performance or functionality because they are reliant on the normal operation of the failed component.

Understanding primary failure is crucial in aviation maintenance and safety because it emphasizes the importance of addressing the initial failures swiftly to prevent further complications and ensure that systems continue to operate efficiently. The differentiation from other types of failure is essential; for instance, secondary failures typically refer to issues that arise as a direct consequence of a primary failure, but they are not the initial trigger. Aggregate failure involves a collective breakdown but doesn't specifically describe the originating issue that caused the failure sequence.