Abstract
There are few things more tragic than the unexpected loss of a loved one. With this in mind, this paper looks at how the grieving families of plane crash victims have been treated by the National Transportation Safety Board, by the airline industry, by the courts, and by the United States government over the course of the last 15 years. In so doing, it hopes to illustrate that many of the pertinent authorities have frequently fallen short in satisfying their ethical and moral obligations to the loved ones of crash victims - and towards the memory of those who perished.

From the Paper
"In some important respects, recent history shows that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not always well-served the families of those who lost their lives in jetliner crashes. For example, victims' families have frequently complained that the NTSB has done a poor job of keeping them informed about the progress of investigations. At the same time, the surviving loved ones of crash victims have often expressed displeasure at the fact that airlines have made families wait for hours before confirming that a brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent was on-board a downed jetliner ("Helping the Families," 1996). "

Tags:National, Transportation, Safety, Board

Abstract
This paper examines technological disasters in the airline industry. In particular it looks at the British jet aircraft industry after the accidents. It allows us to gain insight into what people?s conceptions were, and why certain events unfolded as they did. It shows us how people can learn from technological disasters, and even though they seem catastrophic at the time, they give us the necessary tools to insure that such disasters do not happen again.

From the paper:

"The Comet planes, operated predominantly by BOAC had established Britain as both a successful pioneer and leader in civil jet aviation. However, several American companies, including Boeing, were in hot pursuit of de-Havilland, fighting for their share of the new civil jet market. ?The Comets symbolized to Britons their nation?s pre-eminence in jet aviation,? 5 and so the accidents came as a devastating blow, both in the short and long term. In the aftermath of the accidents, all Comets were grounded pending investigation, causing huge problems and losses."

Tags:aeroplanes, aircraft, airplanes, aviation, boac, jetliners, jets, planes

Abstract
This paper reviews several papers on crew resource management (CRM) which support the belief that while not wildly effective, improvement in "situational awareness," a necessary factor in safe flight, is improved when crew resource management training has been conducted.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Crew Resource Management: Is it the Cure for Aircraft Accidents?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The traveling public would not be pleased to know that in the 1970s, hundreds of airline passengers died because, in three separate incidents, aircrews committed errors. The crew failed to consider fuel levels when solving another problem in one instance; in another, the crew simply failed to monitor altitude. In the third, the crew misinterpreted air traffic control instructions (Salas, Prince et al 1999). These crews were not new to flying; between them they had tens of thousands of hours flight time, and yet the errors were those even a completely inexperienced aviator should not have made (Salas, Prince et al 1999). Worse yet, each crew worked for a major carrier, and all the crews worked in companies with high standards for pilot training and certification (Salas, Prince et al 1999)."

Tags:disasters, mechanics, craft, atmospheric, conditions, flight, training, accident, flying

Abstract
This paper examines how, during the early years of aviation, airline accidents were almost always blamed on mechanical fault or weather and how this theory began changing in World War II when the cost of human error proved unacceptable. It looks at how the discipline of human factors has developed as the science of understanding and reducing human error and accidents. It examines the main causes of human error in the aviation industry and analyzes strategies for reducing pilot-error aviation accidents.

From the Paper
"Human factor specialists have not only researched and compiled data on the number of accidents. They have also established that specific factors will significantly increase the possibility of human error. One of the top reasons in pilot errors is controlled flight in terrain (CFIT). CFIT takes place when a crew unintentionally, and usually without prior awareness, flies an airworthy craft into terrain, obstacles or water. Although this accident can occur during most phases of flight, CFIT more commonly happens during the approach-and-landing phase, which begins when the aircraft descends below 5,000 feet above ground level (AGL) with the intention to conduct an approach and ends when the landing is complete or the flight crew flies the aircraft above 5,000 feet AGL in route to another airport."

Tags:pilots, drugs, crm, accidents

Abstract
This paper examines a model disaster plan for a small regional airport. The paper explains why the Federal Aviation Authority is encouraging travelers to use regional airports and discusses how important it is for even small facilities to have practical and working disaster plans. The author points this out in light of the 9/11 terrorist attack. The role of various staff members of the airport is highlighted in the paper. The paper includes an appendix of airport safety procedures.

Outline:
Abstract
Statement of Problem
Disasters Included/Excluded from Consideration
Rationale for Included/Excluded Disasters
Personnel and Their Duties: Authority and Responsibility
Personnel Internal and Response Team
Interfaces to Persons both Internal and External to Your Operation
Response Plan and Procedures
Scenario of Events
Fire/Chemical/ Biohazard Threat or Spill
Weather or Natural Disaster Concerns
Regional Power Failure
Earthquake
Tornado
On-site Medical Emergency
In-Flight Emergencies
Terrorist Activity/Security Violations
Requirements for Response Team Activities
Communication and Documentation
References to Supporting Literature
Appendix 1 (recommendations of pre-flight responsibilities including legal and suggested by Willamette Aviation)
Pilot Responsibilities Checklist/ Violation of which will require review and potential suspension of flight privileges:

From the Paper
"Disasters that are likely to occur include natural disasters such as regional, onsite or aircraft fires and or collisions, power failure, individual medical emergencies (including one or more people) floods, earthquakes, heavy winds and biochemical and or chemical hazards, such as spills are included as well as those that must be accounted for but are less likely to occur such as hijacking, terrorist attack and or infiltration or intentional biochemical or chemical attacks either originating at this airport or as an attack on it."

Tags:airport, disaster, plan, regional, airport

Abstract
The paper discusses the June 2, 1983 accident of Air Canada flight 797, in which 23 passengers died as a result of a fire soon after the plane made an emergency landing at the Cincinnati airport. The paper notes that this is considered to be one of the most significant disasters in aviation history as it led to important changes in fire safety design and procedures for passenger aircrafts. The paper gives an overview of what happened that led up to the emergency landing and the survival factors, as well as the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations that resulted.

Outline:
Events Leading to the Emergency Landing
Survivability Factors
NTSB Recommendations

From the Paper
"Inside the Airplane during Descent: As the airplane descended, the smoke rapidly spread along the passenger cabin and entered the cockpit. The captain wore smoke goggles and his oxygen regulator during the descent and had no difficulty in breathing but he did experience difficulty in seeing the instruments due to the smoke-filled cockpit. During the descent, Flight 797 encountered clouds from FL 250 to about 3000 feet and the captain descended to 2000 feet to obtain VFR conditions."

Tags:circuit, breakers, distress, signal, instrument, landing, system, difficulty, breathing

Abstract
The paper presents a mixed methodological approach to examine the relevant literature concerning aviation safety in general and air accident investigations in particular. The paper also provides a quantitative analysis of the causes and incidence of various types of aircraft accidents and provides a recapitulation of recent media reports concerning the same.
The paper contains tables, graphs and other figures and includes appendices that list aviation disasters and their causes.

Outline:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
Chapter 3: Discussion and Data Analysis
Chapter 4: Conclusions and Recommendations

From the Paper
"Civil aviation in general and particularly in the United States has achieved an enviable safety record over the years which now stand at less than one accident per million departures. This accident rate places aviation among the safest industries in the world. Nevertheless, based on the considerable growth expected in air travel (the current number of 25 million flights per year worldwide is expected to double by the year 2010), it is not sufficient to maintain existing safety rates and the need for improved aviation safety is apparent (Sarter & Amalberti, 2000) [1]. Unless the already low accident rate in aviation is reduced even further, the increased traffic volume will lead to an average of 25 accidents per year, with over 1,000 fatalities. Because 70 percent to 80 percent of all aviation accidents are considered to involve human error, one promising avenue appears to be investments in a better understanding of, and better support for, human performance and human-machine interaction."

Tags:safety, hijacking, aviation, jets, landing, weather, engines

Abstract
In this article concerning the mid-air collision of Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) flight 182, the writer traces the events leading up to the event. The writer then describes the accident and explores the possible causes. The writer narrates some of the eye-witness accounts and reviews its aftermath including the effect of the crash on the regulations on air-traffic control around busy airports. The writer concludes that the flight 182 disaster over San Diego remains one of the biggest and most horrific air disasters in the U.S. aviation history, which could have been prevented if better flight rules had been followed. Further, the writer notes that the only silver lining of the appalling tragedy is that the accident prompted the implementation of stricter safety regulations around busy airports in the U.S.

Outline:
The Chronology of Events Leading to the Accident
Communication with San Diego Approach Controller & Lindbergh Tower
Confusion in the Cockpit
The Accident
Eyewitness Accounts
Cause of the Crash
How The Accident Affected Regulations on Air-traffic Control
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Robert Osby, then a battalion chief with the San Diego Fire Department, and later the fire chief, who supervised the rescue efforts at the disaster site recalls that the firefighters due to their prompt and professional efforts were able to contain the fire from spreading beyond a remarkably small area--only two sides of one short block of Dwight Street. He also thanks God that the plane had crashed into a working-class neighborhood on a Monday morning when most of the residents of the destroyed homes were at work; otherwise the death toll on the ground would have been much higher (Ibid.) Another reason why the fireball from the fallen aircraft was contained in a smaller area was because the plane did not fall in a parallel-to-the-ground glide path but crashed nose first."
"Hans Wendt, a staff photographer with the San Diego County's public relations office, who was covering an outdoor press event in North Park at the time of the accident, took two dramatic post collision still color photographs of the falling Boeing-727 trailing blue-and-white smoke streaking from its right wing while plunging towards the ground."

Tags:Boeing, 727, captain, crash, accident

Abstract
This paper reviews the extent to which the families of those who have perished in aviation mishaps in recent years (as well as the memory of the victims) have been treated or mistreated by the aviation industry, by the government, and by the court system. Broadly speaking, the writer maintains that the evidence suggests that investigatory and regulatory bodies like the FAA and NTSB have not always covered themselves in glory; similarly, while the courts have shown a predisposition towards presenting considerable awards to the families of those who lost their lives in aircraft crashes, they have also shown that they will generally side with airline companies in matters of liability. In the end, the conclusion which can be drawn from the available evidence is that recent pieces of legislation passed by Congress and by the House might nudge all concerned parties towards a greater appreciation of their moral and ethical obligations to victims.

Tags:aviation, disasters, awards

Abstract
Air rage is a major safety problem today. The author looks at the primary causes of air rage. These include: alcohol consumption, hypoxia, long-haul flights and cramped seating. The the author looks at the possible cures and consequences for air rage. Lastly, the author examines the World Trade Center and Pentagon disasters to show how air rage solutions could have helped prevent them.

From the Paper
"Air rage can best be defined as an action by anyone who fails to respect the rules and conduct onboard an aircraft, and includes that of any passenger who refuses to comply with the safety instructions while onboard the aircraft (Huang 2001). Air rage is more than a safety concern for the passenger, but also a significant safety concern for the airlines and the crew. In-flight incidents caused by enraged passengers involve various types of offenses including assault on crew members or other passengers, fights among intoxicated passengers, child molestation, sexual harassment, illegal consumption of drugs, refusal to stop smoking or consuming alcohol, and vandalizing seats or the cabin."

Tags:aviation, safety