Run a Diagnostic, Mr. Sulu | Aviation International News

Run a Diagnostic, Mr. Sulu

Investigations of aircraft accidents–referred to in the past as “kicking tin”–are taking a decidedly high-tech turn, and NTSB chairman Marion Blakey predic

By AIN Staff • AIN Staff

April 21, 2008

Investigations of aircraft accidents–referred to in the past as “kicking tin”–are taking a decidedly high-tech turn, and NTSB chairman Marion Blakey predicted that crash probes are going to be driven increasingly by issues involving high-tech safety systems, integrated computer programs, high-grade materials and electronically generated data and data analysis.

One need look no further than the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 last November 12 in Belle Harbor, N.Y. The vertical stabilizer of the Airbus A300-600, which is attached to the fuselage with a composite flange, has been undergoing testing at NASA’s Langley (Va.) Research Center and at Ford Motor Co. in Lavonia, Mich.

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