City Research Online

Abstract

This research has been conducted with the primary aim of devising methods for increasing the probability of survival of the recording media used in aircraft accident data recorders. Survival, in this context, is defined as having been fully achieved when the intelligence on the record medium is recovered without the necessity of special recovery techniques having been brought into play to take account of deleterious effects due to the accident environment. A considerable amount of statistical material relating to previous accidents has been used in this study and, from this material, an analysis of the value of accident data recorders in those accidents has been made. From this analysis a minimum survival rate of 98 per cent has been determined as acceptable. From the large number of accident cases studied it has been shown also that this minimum survival rate has not so far been achieved.

The basic approach used in this research towards a solution of the above problem has been to derive a conceptual model of the total system in which two subsystems have been clearly identified and studied. The first of these, the environmental subsystem has provided a means of determining the main sources of insult likely to be produced and the probability and significance of such insults being applied to the record module through degradation of the structure. “The second subsystem, the record protection subsystem, has provided an indication’ of how an injury to the record module is likely to be caused by the above insults and how such injuries may be minimised by improvements in the design and installation of the record module.

Recommendations are made relating to improved requirements for the protection of ADR against crushing forces and against the effects of fire. Among other recommendations directed towards an improvement in survivability are also ones calling for changes in the siting and restraint of the equipment.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software
Departments:	School of Science & Technology School of Science & Technology > School of Science & Technology Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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