4 th Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference Lisbon, Portugal, November 15 - 18, 2004 1...

4 th Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research ConferenceLisbon, Portugal, November 15 - 18, 2004

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Improvement of Cabin Equipment to Improvement of Cabin Equipment to Enhance Safety against TurbulenceEnhance Safety against Turbulence

Association of Air Transport Engineering and Research (ATEC), Japan

Shozo Hirose


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Objectives of the committeeObjectives of the committee

• A research committee, commissioned by JCAB and supported by ATEC, was formed in order to - analyze turbulence related accidents, 　　　　　　　　　 - review current status and 　　　　　　　　 - work out practical safety measures

• The committee members are from - National aerospace laboratory of Japan, 　　　　　　　　 - Aviation accident investigation commission, 　　　　　 - Airlines and 　　　　 - Aircraft equipment manufacturers


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Turbulence accidents analyzed Turbulence accidents analyzed by the committeeby the committee

• Reviewed 98 accidents occurred in USA, UK and Japan during 1997 - 2002

• 143 persons injured seriously and one person fatally (57 passengers and 87 flight attendants injured seriously, and 1 passenger injured fatally)

• Flight attendants are 36 times more likely to be injured than passengers


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Signs of violent joltsSigns of violent jolts

• Of 10 turbulence related accidents in Japan, - Jolted all of a sudden ……………………….…1 case 　　 - Sustained vibration were felt beforehand.…...3 cases 　 - Vibration began 2 to 4 seconds before……..…6 cases

• In many cases, signs of violent jolts are perceivable, even for a CAT.

• Handholds that give quick grip would be effective to mitigate turbulence related injuries.


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Examples of FDR Examples of FDR (Vertical acceleration)(Vertical acceleration)

3sec

Foreseeable jolts

10sec

Sudden jolt


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Injuries by galley cartsInjuries by galley carts

• Of 98 turbulent related accidents, galley carts caused - 9 accidents (9%) 　　　　 - 10 serious injuries (7%)

• Galley carts moved violently but not caused injuries in - 6 accidents (6%)

• Galley carts are involved in 15% of accidents in total


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Expected effects on mitigation of injuriesExpected effects on mitigation of injuries

Possible safety measures PassengersFlight

attendants

Software

Belts fastened while seated 29 0

Turbulence procedure 0 29

Prohibition of loading heavy articles in overhead stowage 1 0

Hardware

Handgrips in galleys 0 24

Handgrips on passenger seats 1 10

Galley carts fixation 2 6

Handgrips on jump seats 0 3

Handgrips in toilets 2 0

Handgrips outside toilets 2 0

Coffee pots with lids 1 0

Display of passenger seatbelts status 1 0


Existing HandholdsExisting Handholds


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Existing handholdsExisting handholds(Cabin aisle)(Cabin aisle)

Handrails under theOverhead Stowage

Handgrips on the business class passenger seats


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Existing handholdsExisting handholds ((Galley)Galley)


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Existing handholdsExisting handholds((Outside of toilets)Outside of toilets)

Suitcase handles outside toilets Recessed handle


Questionnaire survey Questionnaire survey on flight attendantson flight attendants


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Experience of violent joltExperience of violent jolt(Questionnaire survey on flight attendants)(Questionnaire survey on flight attendants)

• 456 flight attendants answered• Experience of violent jolt that caused or

may have caused injuries

Yes 66 %No 34 %


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Effectiveness of handholdsEffectiveness of handholds ((Questionnaire survey on flight attendantsQuestionnaire survey on flight attendants ))

• Experience of escaping injury by grabbing handholds

Yes 92 %

No 8 %


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Insecure places in the cabinInsecure places in the cabin ((Questionnaire survey on flight attendantsQuestionnaire survey on flight attendants ))

Cabin aisle : Only a few handholds Galley : Flight attendants spend much time Outside toilet : Wide open area and no handholds

Cabin aisle 60 %

Others 2 %Toilet 5 %

Outside toilet 15 %

Galley 18 %


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Desirable handholdsDesirable handholds ((Questionnaire survey on flight attendantsQuestionnaire survey on flight attendants ))

• Cabin aisle - Handgrips on the shoulder of passenger seats - Handrails under the overhead stowage

• Galley - More handholds - Handholds at low position for use when squat down - Handholds on the galley walls

• Outside toilets - Handholds near the doors for waiting passengers


Proposed MeasuresProposed Measures


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Handgrips on passenger seatsHandgrips on passenger seats

• Conspicuous and easy to grip• Needs a compromise between safety and comfortableness


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Handgrips on flight attendant’s seatHandgrips on flight attendant’s seat

• No disadvantages and highly feasible

• Also effective for passengers waiting for toilet


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Handgrips in toiletHandgrips in toilet

• Two bars on the both sides of a toilet seat

• Prevent floatation of the passenger

• Sanitary problem must be solved


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Handholds on the toilet and galley wallsHandholds on the toilet and galley walls

• Should not impede emergency evacuation


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Engagement with passenger seatsEngagement with passenger seats(Manual or automatic)(Manual or automatic)

• Engages with passenger seat manually or automatically

• Need to place the cart at the predetermined positions


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Floor track systemFloor track system

• Most effective method to prevent floatation• Too much cost for existing airplane• Can be adopted by newly designed airplane


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Tying-down with ropesTying-down with ropes

A

B

C

• Lowest cost

• High workload for flight attendants

• Insufficient fixation


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ConclusionsConclusions

• Keeping seatbelts fastened while seated and new turbulence procedures are very effective to mitigate turbulence related injuries.

• In many cases, sign of severe turbulence is foreseeable. Handholds that can be reached quickly are effective.

• Handgrips in the cabin aisle are feasible and effective. Embodiments of proposed handholds are desirable.

• Galley carts should not be neglected as causes of injuries. Further research is required to prevent floatation.


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An example of embodiment of the An example of embodiment of the committee conclusionscommittee conclusions

ANA B737NGHandrails underthe OverheadStowage


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END

Thank you……

[email protected]


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4 th Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference Lisbon, Portugal, November 15 - 18, 2004 1...

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