Development of a Crashworthy Seat for Commuter Aircraft

Abstract

A series of dynamic impact tests were conducted using a prototype seat with an energy absorbing mechanism as part of the seat pan. The seat frame was designed to represent a typical commuter aircraft passenger seat. Tests were conducted in an orientation simulating a vertical impact with a 30-degree nose- down aircraft attitude. The impact severity for these tests ranged from 15 to 33 Gs. Seat pan stroke and occupant lumbar reaction forces were measured. Results indicate the axial force measured in the lumbar spine of a fiftieth percentile Hybrid II dummy can be limited to a peak value less than 1500 pounds during vertical impact tests of 33 G with a seat pan stroke distance of 6.3 inches. Keywords: Commuter aircraft, Energy absorbing seat, Vertical impact.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA227486

Entities

People

  • Van Gowdy

Organizations

  • Federal Aviation Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Aviation Medicine
  • Commercial Aircraft
  • Deceleration
  • Deflection
  • Displacement
  • Dynamic Loads
  • Dynamic Tests
  • Impact Loads
  • Impact Tests
  • Load Cells
  • Passengers
  • Pilot Seats
  • Seats
  • Shape
  • Spine
  • Static Loads

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Explosive Engineering.