Passenger life‐saving in a badly damaged aircraft scenario

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest and research a method for passenger life‐saving in a badly damaged aircraft scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

The small parachute, brake rocket and inflatable pillow are used for research and design. Theory of braking is offered, researched, developed and the brake possibilities are computed.

Findings

It is shown here that previous works which have proposed using only parachutes are useless because these failed to consider the likely overload of the parachute jerk stress (at the moment of parachute release) and the impact of aircraft on the Earth's surface. These jerks and impacts destroy aircraft and kill passengers.

Research limitations/implications

This method is limited by an additional weight of the brake system.

Practical implications

Offered is a new method for saving passenger lives in any catastrophic situation, including total failure of aircraft control, extreme damage and loss aircraft wings, tail, breakdown all propelling engines, etc.

Originality/value

Offered is a connected series of related technical innovations which overcome obvious difficulties and allow for a soft, near zero speed landing in any topographically suitable place, allowing potential to save aircraft. This method may be applied to all existing airplanes and increases their weight only about 1.5/2.5 per cent. Also, the method may be used for vertically landing the already built aircraft, for example, when any runway is damaged or would become overloaded.

Citation

Bolonkin, A. (2008), "Passenger life‐saving in a badly damaged aircraft scenario", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 6, pp. 613-619. https://doi.org/10.1108/00022660810911554