Analysis of Aviation Safety Reporting System Incident Data Associated with the Technical Challenges of the Atmospheric Environment Safety Technology Project

Summary 1 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Aviation Safety Reporting System Database 2 3.0 Technical Challenge 2: Airframe Icing Simulation and Engineering Tool Capability 3 3.1 Federal Aviation Regulations Parts 4 3.2 Phase of Flight 6 3.3 Flight Crew and General Results 6 3.4 Carburetor Icing 7 3.5 Anomaly Categories 7 3.5.1 In-Flight Event or Encounter 8 3.5.2 Procedural Deviation 9 3.5.3 Altitude Deviation 9 3.5.4 Aircraft Equipment Problem 10 3.5.5 Track/Heading Deviation and Speed Deviation 10 3.6 Flight Plan and Flight Conditions 10 3.7 Weather Element—Visibility 11 3.8 Air Traffic Control Results 11 3.9 Route in Use 12 3.10 U.S. Region 12 3.11 Technical Challenge 2—Conclusion 14 4.0 Technical Challenge 3: Atmospheric Hazard Sensing and Mitigation Technology Capability ......... 14 4.1 Clear Air Turbulence 15 4.2 Wake Vortex 19 4.3 Windshear 21 4.4 St. Elmo’s Fire 25 4.5 Volcanic Ash 27 4.6 Controlled Flight Toward Terrain or Controlled Flight Into Terrain 27 4.7 Ground Event or Encounter 30 4.8 Ground Incursions 32 4.9 Near-Midair Collision Hazard 33 4.10 Technical Challenge 3—Conclusion 35 5.0 Conclusions 36 Appendix A.—Acronyms 39 Appendix B.—Aviation Safety Reporting System Category Descriptions 41 References 46