Evaluation of Experimental Flight Data Recorders in an Aircraft Crash Environment

摘要

Two types of experimental 20-channel flight data recorders were evaluated to determine their resistance to an aircraft crash environment. This crash environment was simulated by a series of four tests: a shock test, a crushing test, a penetration test, and a fire test. The first flight data recorder tested was an oscillographic recorder enveloped in a 1/2 ATR (Air Transport Radio) case; the recording medium being stainless steel tape. This recorder survived all the tests except the shock test in the longitudinal direction. A minor modification to the recorder would correct this fault. The second type of recorder was a magnetic tape recorder. This recorder was also destroyed in the longitudinal shock test. A major redesign would be required for this recorder to survive this test. It was concluded that the series of four crash survivability tests are poorly defined and recommendations are made to correct this problem. (Author)