California State University Los Angeles Accident Case Data

Directions/requirements for paper:

1)Visit NTSB’s aviation accident search database and find an accident using the key word “illusion” or “spatial disorientation” within the state you were born/moved from or most recently visited on your last vacation. Your search criteria should be as follows:

Accident/Incident information –

state: select the state which you were born or are most recently from

Injury Severity: select “Fatal”

Aircraft –

Category: select “Airplane”

Operation – Leave blank

NTSB Status – Leave blank

Event Details –

Enter your word string below: enter the key word “spatial disorientation” or similar verbiage to find an accident that relates to the physiological effects of altitude flight

2)After choosing a report from your search in step 1, write and submit a minimum 250 word typed double space paper that addresses the following:

Summary of the accident in your own words – who, what, when, and where should be clearly identified with other information you feel is pertinent to the accident addressed

Explanation and development as to the probable cause of the accident using the physiological factors of vestibular and visual illusions discussed in class and/or that you have read from FAA handbooks and manuals. Questions you may seek to answer include but aren’t limited to:

What kind of illusion did the pilot most likely encounter and why were they not able to correct? How do you know?

oWhat aircraft system failures or malfunctions (if any) possibly contributed to the accident?

§How could the pilot have compensated for these malfunctions?

oWhat decisions or actions did the pilot take that contributed to the accident?

oWhat actions may the pilot have taken to prevent the accident?

§When and how would these actions need to be taken to be effective (get as specific as possible)?

What did you learn as a result of exploring this accident?