Home News & Analysis Analysis Data recorders aid NASA crash simulations

Data recorders aid NASA crash simulations

For the third time in less than two months, researchers at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, intentionally sent a small Cessna aircraft plummeting to the ground in a drop test meant to simulate a severe, but ultimately survivable crash. A Cessna 172 plunged 100 feet at 55 miles per hour, its nose pitched up, tail angled down, then struck a pile of dirt and flipped over with a brutal, tail-snapping crunch.

Analysis

12 September 2015

byNews Desk

This was the final crash in a series testing emergency locator transmitters (ELTs), which are designed to send coordinates to emergency responders after a plane crash, but often fail to signal because of damage sustained during the impact.

Each of the three Cessna tests simulated different, but common, crash conditions. The first plane was dropped from about 80 feet and came in at nose level on concrete. The second was hauled up to 100 feet and crashed nose down into soil, and the third was dropped from 100 feet, tail down, into soil.

NASA researchers equipped each plane with five ELTs, two crash test dummies, approximately 40 cameras and test equipment from Diversified Technical Systems (DTS), which included 64-channels of TDAS data recorders, a Smart Battery and TDAS Distributor.

Researchers will examine all the data and images from the multitude of cameras, both on the plane and around the test site, to learn how crashes affect the ELTs with the ultimate goal of improving ELT performance on all aircraft. The NASA engineering team is now analysing the data from the three Cessna crash tests, validating the computer models and compiling the data set. When complete, the data will be taken to the national international committees working on updating ELT specifications, which will make recommendations on how to improve ELT systems and installations.

For nearly 15 years, DTS small on-board data acquisition (DAS) systems have been an important component to many tests at Langley, since they are rugged enough to survive harsh impacts and still accurately deliver critical test data.

“It was a pretty severe crash,” said Lisa Mazzuca, NASA’s Search and Rescue mission manager. “That’s the whole idea behind this – severe but survivable. Those two passengers are going to need some help.”

ELTs have to work in the extreme circumstances and be able to withstand excessive vibration, impact damage and even fire. This project is designed to find practical ways to improve ELT performance and robustness, giving rescue workers the best chance of saving lives. The research is funded by the Search and Rescue Mission Office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.