How are airplane crash investigations really conducted. Here's a peek behind the curtain.

Airplane accidents are usually far apart and can grab worldwide attention. However, behind every headline is a complicated, methodical, and notably detailed process of investigations intended to uncover the truth. These investigations do not only assign blame but reach a much higher plane. They play a critical role in preventing future accidents from happening and improving aviation safety worldwide.  

In this post, we take you behind the scenes into how investigations into airplane crashes are conducted, how that initial response leads to the final report. If you ever wondered what happened to everything that unfolded after that airplane crash, this feature will detail every step of that process.   See some pictures!

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 Who Investigates Airplane Crashes?

The moment a plane crash occurs, a team of experts mobilizes immediately to investigate the incident. But who is responsible for leading these investigations?

-  International Oversight : The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global standards for crash investigations.  

-  Country-Specific Agencies :  

  -  United States  –  National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

  - Europe  –  European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)**  

  -  South Korea –  Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB)

  -  United Kingdom –  Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)

-  Manufacturers' Role : Aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus often assist investigators, providing technical expertise and data.  

-  Jurisdiction : The country where the crash occurs typically leads the investigation, but the nation where the airline is registered and the aircraft manufacturer are also involved.  

Collaboration is the thing, for multiple agencies pooling resources together for the puzzle of events before the accident.  Who take investigations! 

 Immediate Actions and Preservation of the Crash Site

The first two days after the crash are most important. Immediately, rescued teams come to secure the crash area so that parts of evidence do not get lost or tampered with at the scene.  

 Major Actions in the Immediate Response Stage: 

- Emergency Rescue : Saving lives is the core mission of initial responders. 

-  Site Security : Local law enforcement and aviation authorities are responsible for securing the area. 

-  Wreckage Documentation : The photographic documentation of the crash site by the investigator covers the look of the debris and also making descriptive notes regarding the fire damage. 

-  Mapping Debris : Analysis more specially of spread debris, as in whether the aircraft separated while airborne or when colliding with the surface, will be informative.  Crash site here!

The inquiry turns into high gear after helping the survivors.  

  The Black Box – The Heart of the Investigation

The "black box," is a unique instrument which records essential flight data in every airplane crash inquiry. Typical to its name, the color of the black box is orange, for visibility.

What's basically there in the black box?

-  Flight Data Recorder (FDR) : This device tracks the altitude, speed, engine performance, and operation of systems.  

-  Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) : Most usually records all conversations in the cockpit with alarms and any other background noises heard during the flight.  

 How the black box was recovered.

- Locator Beacons : Searchers find black boxes emitting underwater signals for up to 30 days.  

-  Specialized Recovery Teams : These are normally involved in deep water crashes, for which remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are used.  Black box details! 

 Why It Matters : The information from the black boxes can give "critical xx-in the investigation process" when it comes to finding root cause of the final moments before a crash.

 Debris Analysis and Forensic Investigation

Once a crash site is secured, a very careful tonight of the wreckage begins. Each morbid, each twisted piece of metal, each bolt, and every engine component tells a story.

 Core Areas of Analysis:

- Debris patterns help to ascertain whether or not the airplane broke up in air during or upon impact; 

- Material testing investigates metal fatigue, corrosion, or structural failures; 

- Engine inspection, when undertaken, analyses turbines, fans, and fuel systems with a view to highlighting mechanical failures; 

- The flight control systems are disassembled for analysis to check for possible malfunctions; 

- Sabotage checks are explosion residue tests that would exonerate terrorism or sabotage. 

 Simulation Models : Investigators often reconstruct a flight virtually using data and recovered parts to simulate the possible failures behind the incident.  

 Pilot, Crew and ATC Analysis

The human factor plays a large part in an accident investigation. A comprehensive analysis of the actions taken by the  pilot and crew often features in determining whether human error was a contributing factor in the accident. 

Crew analysis steps: 

-  Pilot Records : Flight logs, licenses, and medical history are reviewed by investigators. 

-  Communication Logs : Any potential missteps are revealed through analyzation of air traffic control communications. 

-  Interviews : Testimony about the occurrence scenario comes from survivors, crew members, and airport personnel. 

-  Analysis of fatigue and stress : Mental and physical states of the crew are examined.

   

This is a necessary step because human error also remains one of the commonest causes accounting for aviation accidents. All information here!

Weather and Environmental Factors

Environmental conditions are often the major causes of crashes. It goes without saying that investigators check weather reports and satellite data.

 Analyzed Environmental Factors:

- Severe Turbulence  

- Lightning Strikes  

- Bird Strikes  

- Runway Conditions  

 For example : Poor weather conditions over the Atlantic Ocean largely contributed to the crash of  Air France Flight 447  in 2009. Crash details here!

 Final Report and Public Disclosure

Final investigations would lead to the final report, which explains the full reasons and makes safety recommendations. 

 Report Structure :  

- Initial Findings: Some initial brief report within 30 days.  

- Final Report: General report which will be released 6-18 months after the event.  

- Recommendations: Proposals to either change aircraft design or improve pilot training or operation.  

Transparency is essential, so that we can ensure the findings will translate into safety improvements.

Big Case Studies of Noteworthy Airplane Crash Investigations.

1.  Air France Flight 447 (2009): Turbulence coupled with mechanical failure and pilot error. 

2.  Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 (2014): An ongoing mystery that has yet to be solved. 

3.  Asiana Airlines Flight 214 (2013): Pilot error in the course of landing at San Francisco. 

4.  Korean Air Flight 801 (1997): Errors during approach and commander fatigue. 

Each investigation has resulted in a betterment of  global aviation safety standards. 

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Conclusion 

Air crash investigation is a scientific-engineering-humans blend endeavor. Every accident teaches something new which promises safety to all in aviation. Long and complicated it may be, but shows the faithful commitment of the aviation industry to safety in travel.