Flight Data Visualisation as a Briefing Tool

In a recent serious incident analysed by Flight Data Services, an aircraft was on the approach when the crew initiated a go-around. During the subsequent climb phase a serious reduction in air speed resulted in numerous stalls. There was a lack of certainty and understanding about the event. The flight data was difficult to interpret and this was confused further when conflicting information was collected, including the crew's denial of the incident.

Engineering data, crew reports and flight safety reports are normally used to investigate events. Sometimes this information does not provide enough evidence of what happened or may provide conflicting information. In cases like this, visualisation is a tool that can provide comprehensive information for event investigators.

FDS produced a visualisation of the event. This allowed the safety department to understand what actually happened to the aircraft. The visualisation showed the incident both from the flight instrument and from external views of the aircraft. This allowed the safety department to present the incident visually to the crews, training department and the company management. Engineering investigations identified a serious control system malfunction and the visualisation highlighted the expertise of the crews in the handling of the aircraft under extreme flight conditions.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• flight
• data
• visualisation
• briefing
• incident
• investigation