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1.17 CrashworthinessAs part of its effort to increase flight safety, NASA is conducting research to improve human survivability in airplane accidents. The first step is understanding the injury mechanisms and the limits of human survivability. To do this, researchers conducted a detailed study of eleven transport aircraft accidents that had survivors.The study revealed potential ways in which survivability could be improved. Physical changes were cited, such as better and more numerous exits, increasing the strength of restraint systems (the structure-floor-seat-occupant tie-down chain) to match human tolerance limits, improving retention of overhead luggage bins, and controlling the break-up of the aircraft fuselage. Other research findings point to improving fire suppression, decreasing the flammability and toxicity of the aircraft's interior components, increasing seat back height, and requiring restraints for all children. General aviation aircraft and rotorcraft differ significantly from transport aircraft and therefore have different crash and survivability characteristics. The Crash Data Survey for rotorcraft and general aviation aircraft will be completed in early 2000, to guide the research for improving survivability for these classes of aircraft.
NASA researchers crash-tested a Lear Fan 2100 at the Impact Dynamics Research Facility to evaluate improved crashworthiness design features that will increase human survivability and reduce injuries in the event of an accident. NASA POC: Lisa Jones 757-864-4148 L.E.Jones@LaRC.NASA.GOV
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NASA Headquarters Responsible Official: Code R
Curator: SAIC Information Services http://www.aerospace.nasa.gov |
