Required Text: Glen Ellis, Air Crash Investigation of General Aviation Aircraft,
Capstan Publications, Inc., 1984
Supplemental Materials:
Course Description:
A detailed evaluation of methods and procedures involved in aircraft accident investigation. The organization, duties and procedures of the Aircraft Accident Board are analyzed. The student explores procedures for determining accident causes through analysis of such elements as the function and techniques employed by the trained accident investigator and the role of the specialized laboratory. Analyses are also made of reporting procedures and the all-important follow-up work designed to avoid like or related aircraft accidents.
Prerequisite: SF 210. Recommended: AS 120 or FA 110 or knowledge at the private pilot level.
Course Goals:
This course is a designated elective for the Minor in Aviation Safety, and as such the course will familiarize the students with current practices and principles of aircraft accident investigation. The course will examine the roles and responsibilities of government agencies in the process, as well as other parties involved. The course will provide practical exercises in aircraft accident investigation and a review of accident reports and documentation.
Performance Objectives:
During the course, the student will, to the satisfaction of the instructor:
1. Identify in writing definitions, principles, and concepts discussed in the selected textbooks.
2. Identify in writing the history and evolution of aircraft accident investigation.
3. List and discuss in writing the initial actions of an aircraft investigator at an aircraft accident site.
4. Explain verbally the techniques and procedures for interviewing witnesses to an aircraft accident.
5. Explain verbally the techniques and procedures for photographing an aircraft crash site.
6. List in writing the various techniques to record evidence discovered at an aircraft crash site.
7. List in writing the various techniques and rationale for determining factors in an aircraft accident.
8. Conduct a written investigation of a simulated aircraft accident demonstrating all the elements required in an aircraft accident investigation report.
9. List and discuss in writing the organizations conducting aircraft accident investigations in the United States.
10. Prepare a written case study on a specified aircraft accident and present the case study to the class.
Teaching Methods:
Class meetings will be comprised of lectures and discussions of assigned material which may include films, on-line computer resources, student presentations, field trip and testing for understanding. Class participation is expected with emphasis on aviation safety related applications.
Class Policy:
All students are expected to bring their text and any note taking materials to each scheduled class where academic honesty is the required mode of behavior. Assignments contained herein, and as augmented at instructor's discretion, shall be completed prior to class and shall be deemed late if not turned in by the following scheduled class period with appropriate credit adjustment. Assignments constitute minimum coverage of the required lessons and the student is encouraged to complete additional study within each assigned chapter to promote mastery of the objectives. Course content may vary from this syllabus to meet the needs of this particular class composition.
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes where active participation in class is an integral element and will be considered in final course calculations. Should circumstances arise beyond a student's control which may force a student
to miss a class session or portion thereof, all matters relating to the absence should be arranged between the student and the instructor, including making up missed work. Absences are particularly significant in this program due to the amount of material covered in each class. Thus students are encouraged to assist one another with missed classnotes and assignments.
| Area | Grade Scale | |
|---|---|---|
| Area content tests | 40% | 90-100 A |
| Final exam | 20% | 80-89 B |
| Term Paper | 20% | 70-79 C |
| Case Study | 20% | 60-69 D |
| Total 100% | ||
Session #1: Tuesday
Topic: Introduction; Safety and The Regulatory Framework
Objectives:
1. The student will understand the course requirements and objectives and have an understanding of the impact and devastation caused by the crash of an aircraft.
2. The student will learn the evolution of federal aviation safety laws and regulations; be knowledgeable of the current institutional framework for aviation safety; and understand the analyses of FAA safety programs as they impact the aviation community.
3. The student will understand and be able to demonstrate the methods used to develop the statistical measures of commercial and general aviation safety figures.
4. The student will be able to explain the impact of safety legislation and deregulation on various aviation/aerospace safety programs.
5. Students will be assigned to groups for case study preparations.
Assignment: Read Ellis Chapters 1 & 2.
Session #2: Tuesday
Topic: Accident Investigation
Objectives:
1. The student will be knowledgeable of how safety is related to accident investigation and the development of aircraft accident investigation procedures.
2. The student will be able to discuss the significance of early aircraft accident investigations and understand the organizations associated with those investigations and how legal authority plays a vital role.
Assignment: Read Ellis Chapters 7 and 8
Session #3: Tuesday
Topic: Man and the Accident
Objectives:
1. The student will be able to identify common human causal factors historically associated with aviation accidents.
2. The student will understand the impact caused by human error and what is being accomplished in attempting to reduce human error caused accidents.
3. The student will be able to recognize the relationship between training and the human factor cause and distinguish psychological and physiological limitations as they apply to aircraft accidents.
4. Test over Chapters 1,2,7 and 8.
Assignment: Read Ellis pp 169-174.
Session #4: Tuesday
Topic: Machine and the Accident
Objectives:
1. The student will be able to identify failures of equipment leading to aircraft accidents and deficiencies in airworthiness standards of equipment that have contributed to aircraft accidents.
2. The student will understand and be able to discuss selected design and manufacturer errors that have contributed to aircraft accidents.
3. Student presentation of selected case studies.
Assignment: Read Ellis Chapter 5 & pp133-162.
Session #5: Tuesday
Topic: Environment and the Accident
Objectives:
1. The student will be able to distinguish and discuss the natural environmental causes of aircraft accidents from the manmade environmental causes.
2. The student will be able to describe and discuss the impact wind shear has had on commercial aviation safety.
3. The student will be able to compare and contrast selected aerospace safety requirements to commercial aviation safety requirements.
4. Student presentations of selected case studies.
Assignment : Read Ellis pp163-169.
Session #6: Saturday, 9AM to 2PM**date TBD**
Topic: Field Trip to Sky Harbor Fire Station #19 and an Aviation Salvage Yard
Objectives:
1. The student will participate in a field trip to an aviation fire and crash/rescue station, learn about training requirements, rescue planning, and investigation responsibilities of the station.
2. The student will participate in a visit to an aviation salvage yard and learn about salvage and storage requirements and procedures related to post aircraft accident operations and the role such facilities play in the field of legal and insurance proceedings.
3. Test over material covered.
4. Student aviation safety notebook/term paper due.
Session #7: Tuesday
Topic: Aircraft Accident Investigation
Objectives:
1. The student will be able to describe the initial actions required after an aircraft accident, be familiar with required reports associated with aircraft accident investigations, and understand the procedures for conducting interviews with participants and witnesses.
2. The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to conduct an analysis of an aircraft accident, reconstructing it from diagrams, photographs and known aircraft performance parameters, and establish the facts that point to probable cause.
Assignment: Read Ellis Chapters 3 and 4.
Session #8: Tuesday
Topic: Establishing Facts and Other Legal Aspects
Objectives:
1. The student will understand the process of establishing facts from the analysis of the findings of an aircraft accident investigation and the legal implications, liability, and probable vs. proximate cause issues.
2. The student will be able to discuss the role that the insurance industry plays throughout the time cycle of pre- to post aircraft accident.
3. Review for final exam.
Session #9: Tuesday
Topic: Final Examination
1. The student will demonstrate a high level of understanding of the procedures involved in aircraft accident investigations
For questions contact Instructor: E-mail.
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