Lectrogram - Issue 17

Author: Lectromec
Published: 11-01-2007

Lectromec LECTROGRAM©

October 2007 Newsletter

A Resource for your Wire Maintenance Program

There are a number of databases that exist on the web that can be used to survey aircraft incidents and service problems. This Lectrogram shall provide a brief summary of several of the more robust databases relevant to aircraft systems failures and maintenance actions on aircraft.

There does exist some overlap between the databases, allowing for verification from more than one source. Most of the following databases are U.S. based, but similar systems can be found in many countries around the globe.

NTSB Aviation Accident Database: The NTSB aviation accident database contains information gathered on civil aviation accidents and selected incidents. The data in the system dates back to 1962, but full descriptions of events before 1993 are not guaranteed. The system allows for searches for given aircraft types, make/model, and even the type operation under which the aircraft was operating at the time of the incident.

Website: http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp

FAA Preliminary Accident Report: This site provides preliminary information on aviation incidents that have been reported over the prior 10 days. The database does not provide much information beyond weather conditions and a brief description of the incident.

Website: http://www.faa.gov/data_statistics/accident_incident/preliminary_data/

FAA Service Difficulty Report (SDR) database: The data in the SDR database goes back to 1995. Reports can be searched on each aircraft tail number, operator, or even particular parts within an aircraft. One can find information on the type of problem, the number of cycles on the aircraft, when the anomaly was discovered, the needed action, and a description of the problem (the description length and details vary dramatically).

Website: http://av-info.faa.gov/isdr/SDRQueryControl.ASP?vB=NS&cD=32

NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS): Started in 1976, the particular focus of the ASRS is “the quality of human performance in the aviation system.” Reporting to the system is voluntary and confidential and it accepts incident reports from pilots, air traffic controllers, maintenance technicians, and others. As of the start of 2007, over 700,000 incident reports had been received by the ASRS. Averaging over 3,300 new reports each month,

approximately 65% of the reports are submitted by air carriers, with general aviation making up the second largest group with 30%. Website: http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/index.html

FAA Maintenance Alerts: Thought not technically a database, the monthly published Aviation Maintenance Alerts provides a good source of information about recent aircraft maintenance problems. This information is gathered from people who operate and maintain civil aircraft (see photo above). Website: http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/aviation_maintenance/index.cfm

World Aircraft Accident Summary (WAAS) Subset: Part of the FAA’s Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) System, WAAS is a database maintained by Airclaims Ltd. This database subset contains information about all known fatal airline accidents for the last ten years. Descriptions of the events include both official and unofficial statements and reports. There are usage restrictions on the data which should be considered before using. Website: http://www.asias.faa.gov/

All of these databases are open and available to the public with the objective of improving the aviation system. Wiring, connector, and other components of an aircraft’s electrical system are addressed in varying degree in these databases. As such, they provide a wealth of source material for your wire maintenance program.

Copyright ©2007 Lectromechanical Design Company