ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PLAN AIRCRAFT CRASHWORTHINESS

The Aircraft Crashworthiness Program Plan is designed to reduce or prevent aircraft occupants from incurring serious or fatal injuries in a 'survivable' crash impact accident by incorporating crashworthy design features into the initial stages of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft development. It describes a 5-year development program for both airplanes and rotorcraft. It identifies five major subprogram areas for study and analysis to accomplish the program's goals: (1) Airframes; (2) Cabin safety; (3) Fuel system protection; (4) Emergency evacuation system; and (5) Standards, criteria, and procedures. The plan emphasizes use of available background data; development of analytical techniques; validation of analytical techniques; validation of data to determine feasibility/acceptability; and transmittal of appropriate data for consideration as the basis for regulation, standards, etc. The Federal Aviation Administration groups, other Government agencies/departments and industry organizations participating in this effort are identified. Program schedule with milestones is presented. Program management and funding requirements are also identified.