Answer the following independent two-part question banks in this discussion forum using course material and any other credible material.

Instruments: Consider that many of the older general aviation may not be equipped with glass display instrument packages. 

Explain the challenges of reading broken instruments such as older analog “round gauges” that might be found on the Zonk Airaccident aircraft.

Evaluate your observations from the presentations and course material on instruments and switches. Do they “capture” compelling and sole source evidence of the crash dynamics?

Is it possible to obtain accident information from any personal handheld digital device found at the scene?  Explain and provide an example.

Data Capture Systems: 

1. Briefly explain the differences and capabilities between various data recording/capture systems.

Compare and contrast the value between onboard capture systems and down-linking data systems.

1. Why are such systems usually NOT mandated on private general aviation aircraft?
2. A substantial response shows thought and critical thinking, a short, two or three sentence response is not acceptable. Support your opinions with at least one valid reference. You may use course material, but be specific. Personal experiences, etc., may be used to enhance your perspective of the questions, but they must be valid and relative to the subject matter. Your instructor will evaluate your posts using the discussion rubric.

Read the posts of your classmates, reply and evaluate at least one other student’s posting. Look for any additional questions or comments your instructor may reply to you on before the last day of the module week.

Required Course Materials

Title: Aircraft Accident Investigation

ISBN: 978-1892944177

Authors: Richard H. Wood and Robert W. Sweginnis

Publisher: Endeavor Books

Publication Date: 2006

Edition: 2nd

Format: Textbook

Please read through all sections before proceeding to the next page, and refer back whenever necessary.

Aircraft Accident Investigation (Wood & Sweginnis, 2006)

• Chapter 14 – Cockpit Instruments
• Chapter 18 – Aircraft Recorders (reacquaint yourself with this chapter)

Zonk Air Accident Report

Please read through all sections before proceeding to the next page, and refer back whenever necessary.

Read theZonk Air Accident (DOCX)scenario. You are to develop a ‘partial’ accident investigation report, (greater than three substantial pages), based upon the accident information provided. Be sure to review the Accident Report Project Guidelines (DOCX)for detailed information on project requirements.

 

Air Detective Tips & Resources

Please read through all sections before proceeding to the next page, and refer back whenever necessary.

• Air Detective Tip 16: – Aircraft Instrument Analysis (DOCX)
•  (Links to an external site.)“>IHST: HFDM – Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring (PDF) (Links to an external site.)
•  (Links to an external site.)“>NTSB Presentation and Analysis of Systems and Instruments (PDF) (Links to an external site.) – The Honorable Robert L. Sumwalt

Optional, but Recommended: After reading the Tipsheet, take the Air Detective Tips Review #4 knowledge check to reinforce some of the content. The matching bank may display under the questions.

Cockpit Instruments & Switches

Please read through all sections before proceeding to the next page, and refer back whenever necessary.

Review this presentation for a visual display of post-crash instrumentation. Cockpit instrumentation can provide useful information regarding the crashed aircraft.

Instrumentation (PPTX)

Flight Recorders & Data Capture Systems

Review the following presentations and read the files regarding the application of Flight Data Recorders (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) in accident investigation. These data capture systems have become the primary element in the assessment of causation. Advancement in these technologies is elevating the capability to capture a broader spectrum of data associated with flight safety, both in a proactive manner and in the reactive accident investigative process.A Basic Overview of FOQA & ACARS (PPTX)

•  (Links to an external site.)“>ATSB: Black Box Flight Recorders (PDF) (Links to an external site.)

 – Fact Sheet

• NTSB: Recorders (PPTX)– J. Cash

The first website contains links to CVR transcripts and may have some actual CVR audio files as well as some air traffic control audio clips.

•  (Links to an external site.)“>Aviation Safety Network: CVR/FDR Cockpit Voice Recorders (Links to an external site.)
•  (Links to an external site.)“>How Stuff Works: How Air Traffic Control Works (Links to an external site.) (Read pages 1 and 2, Flight Profile, and Preflight.)

Note: Beware of pop-ups and other nuisance ads on some of these sites