Below are representative aviation cases handled by MEA Forensic involving metallurgical, mechanical and operational issues. Please contact us if you have questions or would like additional information regarding any of these cases.
Metallurgical Issues
Cessna Caravan crash following engine shut-down. Assessed failed compressor turbine (CT) blade to locate fracture origin, and audit Maintenance & Repair Overhaul (MRO) inspection procedure to assess likelihood of finding a defect before the crash.
Compressor turbine failure. Metallurgically assessed CT blades in Sikorsky S58ET helicopter for signs of ‘rafting’ or over-temperature using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Bell 205 helicopter transmission decoupled and led to a crash. Assessed metallic debris recovered from the transmission using SEM to determine if the debris was present prior to recent maintenance.
Eurocopter SA 315B Lama Helicopter gearbox fatigue failure of spline coupling. Determined if the coupling was installed improperly or overloaded.
Seneca II crashed following an engine shut down from a crankshaft fracture. Assessed the origin, cause and age of a crack in the crankshaft and the likelihood of its detection by Non-Destructive Testing (NDT).
Cessna 421 in-flight engine failure. Examined Continental 520 starter adapter gear and other engine parts to determine cause of engine failure.
Mechanical Issues
Sikorsky S61 helicopter transmission freewheel spit-out during heli-logging. Used simulation experiments and SEM analysis to determine if spit-out was from bushing disintegration or from high loads.
Sikorsky S61 crashed during an attempted run-on landing. Used 3D computer modeling to determine if the swash plate assembly suffered from uni-ball binding, or if there was a hydraulic servo problem. Also determined the crash dynamics using 3D computer simulation and assessed seatbelt usage and effectiveness based on injury pattern for ejected pilots.
Bell 206 engine support pylon fracture after overhaul by MRO. Assessed the adequacy of a prior pylon overhaul procedure using fracture mechanics and SEM analysis.
Six cylinder Teledyne Continental engine failure in Cessna 172. Assessed cause of starter adapter gear failure on six-cylinder engine.
Hummelbird home-built ultralight crashed when engine stopped at low altitude. Teardown and assessment of the modified Volkswagon engine for possible defects.
Cessna 172 crash while practicing circuits with student. Examined actual and exemplar aircraft to assess throttle cable sticking as a possible cause.
Piper Malibu crash. Examined Teledyne Continental six cylinder engine, discovered numerous anomalies with various MRO’s.
Hughes MD500 helicopter crash. Investigated cause of tail-rotor drive shaft failure.
Boeing 107 logging helicopter rear rotor self-severing its connection with the front rotor and fuselage, resulting in crash. Examined and compared design details of the original and rebuilt components which failed and resulted in the pitching rotor. Eliminated a suspect electronic control element from being considered a failure critical component.
Operational Issues
Ongoing major, Part 121, commercial aircraft crash with multiple fatalities. Issues include aircraft systems, maintenance history, manufacturer/vendor liability and flight crew recognition and response.
Issuance of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Parts Manufacturing Authority (PMA) drawings to produce Part 121 passenger jet flight control components. An MEA expert with prior experience as an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER), addressed the regulatory compliance issues.
Vintage aircraft replica experienced system failure and crashed in preparation for landing; single fatality. Issues include vendor failure-to-warn, component-level system analysis and pilot response to failure.
Multiple cases of passenger injury caused by in-flight turbulence events. Issues involve type/frequency/timing of information provided to flight crew, passenger compliance with flight crew instructions, pilot-in-command action and responsibilities with respect to duty-of-care, and applicable guidance and regulations.
The aerodynamic stall and subsequent crash of a small business jet immediately after takeoff resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries on the ground. Issues were pilot response to distraction and manufacturer liability.
Feasibility study regarding the efficacy of installing parachutes on a fleet of business jets to improve survivability in the event of an incident/accident.
Criminal case of Unlawful Interference with a Flight Crew. Issues involved crew standard operating procedures and response in cases of unlawful interference and interpretations of applicable regulations.
Cessna 208B crash that occurred immediately after takeoff. Procedural questions related to the departure in icing conditions as well as aircraft systems.
Adverse effects suffered by a flight attendant after toxic fumes from jet engine oil entered the passenger cabin.
Section of plane that fell off while airborne, resulting in contact and bodily harm to persons on the ground. Advised regarding all aspects of accident from aircraft maintenance and compliance.
Crash of a general aviation aircraft on takeoff resulting in two fatalities. Issues were high density altitude conditions (high altitude airfield/high outside air temperature) in combination with a fully-loaded aircraft.
Crash of a sight-seeing helicopter due to apparent main rotor failure resulting in multiple fatalities. Issues were prior Service Difficulty Reports (SDR's) and similar in-type accident reports and reconciliation of eye witness accounts.
International airport ground handling accident resulting in a catastophic personal injury. Issues involved ground crew negligence in performance-of-duty, airline standard-of-care and quality/recurrence of training.
Passenger trip and fall on a jetway leading to an aircraft during boarding. Issues were lighting and walkway maintenance.
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