Study of General Aviation Fire Accidents (1974-1983).
Abstract
This report describes a study of fires and interior materials in General Aviation (GA) aircraft during 1974-1983. The purpose of the study was to learn trends in GA fires and the materials used in aircraft interiors. The study covered aircraft of less than 12,501 pounds gross weight, not in commercial or agricultural operations. Fires are a minor part of GA accident experience. Accident data yielded 2,351 post impact fires having 798 fatalities. These accidents were 6 percent of the total of 36,130 GA accidents. Only 153 inflight fires occurred during the period from 1974-1983. The GA fire population closely resembles the entire GA aircraft population. One difference was that fatalities and aircraft damage increased with higher approach speeds and gross weights up to 10,500 pounds. Also, the proportion of fire accidents and fatalities was greater in low than in the more common high wing aircraft. For inflight fires, the aircraft engine was the major fire origin for twin- and single-engine aircraft. Only in single-engine aircraft was the instrument panel a source of inflight fires. Data on the 20 most common GA aircraft disclosed conventional materials, similar to those used in the home. Polyurethane foam cushioning, wool and nylon fabrics, ABS plastic and aluminum typify the materials used in these aircraft. Keywords: Aircraft fires; General aviation; Accident data; Accident investigations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA180472
Entities
People
- Ludwig Benner Jr.
- Richard Clarke
- Russell Lawton