J2 For Air Accident Investigators

From an early stage and running in parallel with any accident investigation, j2’s Universal Tool-Kit can, in a matter of weeks, build a validated flight physics based model of the sample aircraft that is then used examine the aircraft handling and behavioural analysis. This capability can accelerate investigation findings by focussing on ‘most likely’ whilst also removing from the investigation those areas shown to be `not possible’ or `highly unlikely’ to have been contributory factors from a flight physics analysis perspective. A case history is provided here for a Piper Navajo aircraft accident in conjunction with a study that was undertaken for the AAIB.

At any time in this process investigators can:

• Add fidelity to the model by including OEM or other available data e.g. flight test data, adding fidelity to the model and continuing to test out theories and hypotheses as more information becomes available. The number of scenarios that can be analysed is limitless.
• Can retain and re-use the aircraft model for additional work as required in a fully version controlled and protected database within j2. 
• Can access and re-use the same model or have it modified to take account of aircraft variants e.g. a Beechcraft B200 will form the basis for a B200 Raisbeck model (engine and performance upgrade) with each being fully version controlled.
• Can add pilot or other expert opinion data/input to the analytical process and method and evaluate any differences.
• Can use a trusted, repeatable and robust flight physics based modelling methodology that can be applied and used for any fixed wing, rotary wing or eVTOL type aircraft accident investigation.