Transport Aircraft Crash Dynamics

A review and evaluation of transport airplane accident data for the 1964-1979 period is presented. Included in the results are (1) formulation of candidate crash scenarios, (2) the identification of the involvement of structural systems and subsystems in transport airplane accidents, (3) a review of existing design criteria and philosophy, and (4) conclusions and recommendations for future R&D effort. The accident is organized in relation to pertinent accident types including undershoot, overrun, ground collision, obstacle impact, stall, wheels-up or retracted landing, swerve and gear collapse. Ground-to-ground and air-to-ground crash scenarios are presented. Current state-of-the-art procedures are used in the analysis of a current airplane configuration for selected accident conditions. Available structure and occupant modeling techniques are assessed with regard to transport airplane crash dynamics modeling requirements. The revised U.S. Army Crash Survival Design Guide, as well as other design criteria and previous full-scale crash tests are evaluated with regard to transport airplane applicability. A proposed integrated crash dynamics analysis and test program for transport airplanes is presented along with conclusions and recommendations based on the results of the overall study. Included is a description of an "accident data base" computer program developed in this study.

• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/91857
• Corporate Authors:

  Lockheed Aircraft Corporation

  2555 North Hollywood Way
  Burbank, CA  United States  91503

  National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  Washington, DC  United States  20546

  Federal Aviation Administration

  Systems R&D Service, 800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States 

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Authors:
  • Wittlin, Gil
  • Gamon, Max
  • Shycoff, Dan
• Publication Date: 1982-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 447p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air transportation crashes; Aircraft; Computer programs; Crash data; Crash types; Crashworthiness; Data analysis; Databases; Dynamics
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01995025
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FAA/CT-82/69, NASA Contractor Report 165851, LR 29858
• Contract Numbers: NAS 1-16083
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 7 2026 5:29PM