Not sure if this is a topic for a 5 year old, but I’m curious. I know we have black boxes
that keep record of data, but is it more than that?
I was reading about a B2 stealth bomber crash almost 15 years ago, the USAF investigation determined there
was moisture in the port transducer units causing
the air data system to malfunction.
If the plane crashed, how can they draw the
conclusion that there was moisture anywhere at all?
In: 4
It is much, much more. Flight data recorders can provide information on what the aircraft was doing for a certain amount of time prior to the mishap, but that data is always being overwritten as the flight progresses.
On the mechanical/material side, investigators will also examine the crash site (if they can), and look at things like how the aircraft hit the ground, the distribution of debris, etc. Maintenance logs are looked at to see what has been done to the aircraft, that proper practices were followed, if there were any recurring or unusual gripes, and to trace component manufacturing for potential defects. Engineers will be consulted to examine components to determine if any damage they have can be attributed to something other than the actual crash, and to help test out theories to fit the available evidence.
On the human side, pilot logs and training records are examined to make sure the pilots are properly trained and qualified, and medical exams may be done to see if they were somehow impaired.
Not sure if this is a topic for a 5 year old, but I’m curious. I know we have black boxes
that keep record of data, but is it more than that?
I was reading about a B2 stealth bomber crash almost 15 years ago, the USAF investigation determined there
was moisture in the port transducer units causing
the air data system to malfunction.
If the plane crashed, how can they draw the
conclusion that there was moisture anywhere at all?
In: 4
It is much, much more. Flight data recorders can provide information on what the aircraft was doing for a certain amount of time prior to the mishap, but that data is always being overwritten as the flight progresses.
On the mechanical/material side, investigators will also examine the crash site (if they can), and look at things like how the aircraft hit the ground, the distribution of debris, etc. Maintenance logs are looked at to see what has been done to the aircraft, that proper practices were followed, if there were any recurring or unusual gripes, and to trace component manufacturing for potential defects. Engineers will be consulted to examine components to determine if any damage they have can be attributed to something other than the actual crash, and to help test out theories to fit the available evidence.
On the human side, pilot logs and training records are examined to make sure the pilots are properly trained and qualified, and medical exams may be done to see if they were somehow impaired.
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