Analysis of Spatial Disorientation Mishaps in the US Navy
Abstract
Spatial disorientation (SD) and subsequent loss of situation awareness (LSA) mishaps for military air forces, commercial aviation, and general aviation have an estimated annual cost in the billions of dollars. SD occurs when the pilot has an incorrect perception of the attitude, altitude, or motion of one's own aircraft relative to the earth or other significant objects. One example of the devastating effects of SD is the following mishap: A US Navy F- 14 Tomcat, shortly after take off, crashed into a residential neighborhood destroying several homes and killing the two aircrew and three people on the ground. Casual factors in the mishap included SD and cockpit distraction. The Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory (NAMRL) has developed an SD mishap analysis tool to support US Navy mishap boards in their investigations, to provide insight into the problem of SD in naval aviation, and to train aviators to avoid SD mishaps. The SD mishap analysis tool uses spatial orientation models and computer animation techniques to produce three-dimensional (3-D) computer simulations of SD mishaps.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADP013854
Entities
People
- Angus H. Rupert
- Braden J. Mcgrath
- Frederick E. Guedry
Organizations
- Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory