Rotorcraft Ditchings and Water-Related Impacts that Occurred from 1982 to 1989. Phase 1
Abstract
This report documents Phase I of a two-phase program that investigates ditchings and water-related impacts for rotorcraft that occurred during the years 1982-1989. The main sources of accident data were the National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Army Safety Center. Data from a total of 89 accidents were obtained and examined for this study. Of these, 77 cases satisfied the criteria for inclusion into the database, 67 from the NTSB and 10 from the U.S. Army. In this report the impact and post-impact conditions were categorized to assess rotorcraft behavior and occupant survivability. Three impact scenarios and two post-impact scenarios were established. Special emphasis was placed on examining rotorcraft flotation equipment performance and post-impact survivability. Six representative case studies are presented to demonstrate aspects peculiar to the rotorcraft water impact and postimpact sequence that could not be adequately covered by the statistical categorizations alone. Recommended areas requiring enhancement of occupant survivability are presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA279164
Entities
People
- Anthony Wilson
- Charles C. Chen
- Gershon Yaniv
- Joseph W. Colman
- K. M. Fogarty
- Lindley W. Bark
- M. Müller