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December 1991
Risk Indicators and Their Link With Air Carrier Safety 20 pages. [PDF 146K]
The relationship between risk indicators and safety is explored by comparing the accident rate of air carriers with the characteristics of those carriers at the time of an accident. Based on these analyses, a number of risk indicators are identified.
November 1991
The Case for Better Microburst Detection 21 pages. [PDF 163K]
Improvements upon the present low-level windshear advisory system (LLWAS) are suggested by the author.
October 1991
An Unfortunate Pattern Observed in U.S. Domestic Jet Accidents 21 pages. [PDF 152K]
On established U.S. airlines during the period from 1975–89, domestic jet flights that suffered major crashes had nearly twice as many passengers on board as other flights. This excess arose because these flights had both higher seating capacity and far fewer empty seats than usual. The pattern was of very high statistical significance.
September 1991
Special Safety Report: Head-up Guidance System (HGST) — A Powerful Tool for Accident Prevention 29 pages. [PDF 203K]
This project report (FSF/SP-91/01), “Head-up Guidance System Technology (HGST) — A Powerful Tool for Accident Prevention,” is based upon a contracted study completed by Flight Safety Foundation in late 1990. In that study, the Foundation concludes that civil jet transport aircraft equipped with properly functioning head-up guidance system technology (HGST), that provides critical aircraft flight guidance and performance information to a correctly trained flight crew, will result in significantly fewer aircraft accidents, which will reduce loss of life.
August 1991
Measuring Safety in Single-and Twin-engine Helicopters 33 pages. [PDF 197K]
Accurate measurement of helicopter safety is crucial to both the flying public and the operators of rotary-wing aircraft. The author questions the veracity of some safety statistics and he challenges recent ICAO amendments that would restrict operations in single-engine helicopters in favor of twin-engine helicopters.
July 1991
Just What Are Flight Crew Errors? 32 pages. [PDF 214K]
An assessment of the major causes of large jet airliner accidents leads to specific recommendations for improvement.
June 1991
Special Supplement: Safety Challenges in the ’90s 92 pages.[PDF 507K]
European corporate and regional aircraft operations are addressed in this special supplement.
May 1991
Investigating the Management Factors in an Airline Accident 28 pages. [PDF 181K]
The significance of management’s role in the sequence of events ending in accidents is examined and suggestions are advanced that the influence of management be included in accident investigations.
April 1991
Use of Flight Data Recorders To Prevent Accidents in the U.S.S.R. 36 pages. [PDF 193K]
Analysis of flight recorder information has proven a valuable tool both for investigating accidents and improving the level of flight safety since 1965.
March 1991
Terrorism — Dark Times Ahead?? 22 pages. [PDF 155K]
The Middle East War has ended, but violent forces allied with Saddam Hussein may remain a threat to the safety of air transportation.
February 1991
When A Rejected Takeoff Goes Bad 23 pages. [PDF 164K]
The pairing of relatively inexperienced flight crew members was merely the first in a chain of events that ended with a runway overrun that resulted in passenger fatalities and extensive aircraft damage.
January 1991
An American Tableau: The Changing Accident Experience 28 pages. [PDF 181K]
A critical look at the safety aspects of deregulation and a call for the air transportation industry to earn the public’s trust in its safety performance during the next decade.