Seal failure in aerospace applications – creating a global open-source database

Seals are important components in aerospace applications because they restrict leakage of fluids and prevent debris from entering systems. However, the failure of these components is detrimental and it is essential to understand how, why and where they fail in service, and how often. There have been numerous reports where seal failure has led to aircraft incidents – jeopardising the safety of passengers and crew alike. However, it is often difficult to find these reports because of the varying reporting systems and databases that are in use in different countries. In this article we propose a plan to create a designated open-source data-set for reports that involve seal failure, which is accessible to everyone and enables user interaction. In addition, interested individuals can add to the data set easily, enabling it to grow and adding statistical power to its value.