scholarly journals Oil Fumes, Flight Safety, and the NTSB

Aerospace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 389
Author(s):  
Judith Anderson ◽  
Dieter Scholz
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Of Interest ◽  
Engine Oil ◽  
Transportation Safety ◽  
Flight Safety ◽  
National Transportation Safety Board ◽  
Engine Type ◽  
Aircraft Crash

During its investigations into a series of ten aircraft crashes from 1979 to 1981, US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials were presented with a hypothesis that “several” of the crashes could have been caused by pilot impairment from breathing oil fumes inflight. The NTSB and their industry partners ultimately dismissed the hypothesis. The authors reviewed the crash reports, the mechanics of the relevant engine oil seals, and some engine bleed air data to consider whether the dismissal was justified. Four of the nine aircraft crash reports include details which are consistent with pilot impairment caused by breathing oil fumes. None of the tests of ground-based bleed air measurements of a subset of oil-based contaminants generated in the engine type on the crashed aircraft reproduced the inflight conditions that the accident investigators had flagged as potentially unsafe. The NTSB’s conclusion that the hypothesis of pilot incapacitation was “completely without validity” was inconsistent with the evidence. Parties with a commercial conflict of interest should not have played a role in the investigation of their products. There is enough evidence that pilots can be impaired by inhaling oil fumes to motivate more stringent design, operation, and reporting regulations to protect safety of flight.

Aircraft Propulsion System Accident Causal Analysis

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd D. Jack ◽  
Carl N. Ford ◽  
Shari-Beth Nadell ◽  
Vicki Crisp
Keyword(s):  
Time Frame ◽  
Causal Analysis ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Transportation Safety ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Aircraft Propulsion System ◽  
Engine Type

A causal analysis of aviation accidents by engine type is presented. The analysis employs a top-down methodology that performs a detailed analysis of the causes and factors cited in accident reports to develop a “fingerprint” profile for each engine type. This is followed by an in-depth analysis of each fingerprint that produces a sequential breakdown. Analysis results of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, that occurred during the time period of 1990–1998 are presented. Each data set is comprised of all accidents that involved aircraft with the following engine types: turbofan, turbojet, turboprop, and turboshaft (includes turbine helicopters). During this time frame there were 1461 accidents involving turbine powered aircraft; 306 of these involved propulsion malfunctions and/ or failures. Analyses are performed to investigate the sequential relationships between propulsion system malfunctions or failures with other causes and factors for each engine type. Other malfunctions or events prominent within each data set are also analyzed. Significant trends are identified. The results from this study can be used to identify areas for future research into intervention, prevention, and mitigation strategies.

Alarm Management for Pipelines

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark K. McTavish
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Process Industry ◽  
Transportation Safety ◽  
Alarm Management ◽  
Audit System ◽  
National Transportation Safety Board

In 2005 the National Transportation Safety Board, concluded that an effective alarm review/audit system will increase the likelihood of controllers appropriately responding to alarms associated with pipeline leaks. This paper looks at the pipeline industry in the broader context of process industry alarm management and how the best practices of the process industry apply to the pipeline industry.

The Sinking of the Ethan Allen: A Fresh Look at the Investigation and Cause

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 85-110
Author(s):  
Mark P. D’Angelo ◽  
Drew B. Hains ◽  
Aaron D. Miller
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York State ◽  
Transportation Safety ◽  
Fundamental Analysis ◽  
York State ◽  
Intact Stability ◽  
National Transportation Safety Board ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Passenger Vessel ◽  
Lake George

AbstractOn October 2, 2005, the New York State Certified Passenger vessel Ethan Allen heeled to port, capsized, and later sank as it rounded Cramer Point on Lake George. Tragically, 20 passengers died and several others were injured. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation ensued which focused on aspects of the intact stability and seakeeping characteristics of the vessel. This article includes a new examination of the NTSB’s lightship determination and an interestingly fundamental analysis of the turn-induced heel and its impact on the resulting capsize. The accident has resulted in a renewed focus on how the stability of small passenger vessels is regulated. As a result, this paper specifically addresses two major findings, the increase in the weight of the average passenger and the lesser reported management of vessel modifications.

The Use of Injury Biomechanics Principles and Tools in Transportation Accident Investigation

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin M. Poland
Keyword(s):  
Vehicle Dynamics ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Transportation Safety ◽  
Complete Understanding ◽  
Accident Investigation ◽  
Injury Biomechanics ◽  
Investigative Tool ◽  
National Transportation Safety Board ◽  
Investigative Process ◽  
Transportation Accident

The National Transportation Safety Board is furthering its accident investigation capabilities by implementing biomechanical tools and principles in its accident investigative process. Vehicle dynamics simulation is a commonly used investigative tool implemented to develop a complete understanding of how the vehicle moved and accelerated during an accident. Now the Safety Board is looking at both the reactions and actions of the occupants within the vehicle in response to the vehicle dynamics. This paper highlights two cases in which the principles and tools of biomechanics are applied to aid in the investigative process.

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