Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-04/12
Title and Subtitle: Simulated Evacuations Into Water
Report Date: August 2004
Authors: McLean GA, Palmerton DA, Corbett CL, Larcher KG, McDown JR
Abstract:
Introduction. Transport airplanes are required to be assessed for ditching capability in the FAA type-certification process. This includes the airplane�s emergency evacuation potential, i.e., the ability of passengers to escape the airplane after it lands on water. Actual emergency data to support ditching certification are not available; there have been questions as to whether evacuation flow rates onto land are appropriate for use in ditching-related flotation time computations. Simulated evacuations from platforms into the CAMI survival tank were conducted to obtain passenger flow rate data that can be used to support the certification process.
Methods. A 12� x 12� platform was placed next to the tank. Platform (exit sill) heights of 9�, 2�, 4�, and 6� were employed; flotation seat cushions and inflatable life vests were used as individual flotation aids. Four subject groups performed 3 simulated evacuations at each platform height through a Type-I exit-sized opening; 4 other groups similarly used a Type-A exit-sized opening.
Results. A significant effect (p.001) of platform height above the water was found, as increasing heights resulted in monotonic decreases in flow rate. A significant effect (p.01) of flotation device type was also found, with flotation seat cushions producing the lowest flow rates, followed next by life vests that were uninflated until entry into the water, and then life vests that had been inflated before leaving the platform. Finally, the Type-A exit-sized platform configuration was significantly faster than was the Type-I configuration (p.05).
Conclusion. These effects suggest that in the best conditions, passenger flow rates into water are much like those onto land. However, the platform height effects suggest that airplane attitude in the water may be important, as is exit size. The use of flotation seat cushions as flotation aids should be a last resort.
Key Words: Aircraft Evacuation, Passageway Configuration, Hatch Operation, Competitive Egress, Individual Subject Characteristics, Passenger Management
No. of Pages: 12
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-04/12
Title and Subtitle: Simulated Evacuations Into Water
Report Date: August 2004
Authors: McLean GA, Palmerton DA, Corbett CL, Larcher KG, McDown JR
Abstract:
Introduction. Transport airplanes are required to be assessed for ditching capability in the FAA type-certification process. This includes the airplane�s emergency evacuation potential, i.e., the ability of passengers to escape the airplane after it lands on water. Actual emergency data to support ditching certification are not available; there have been questions as to whether evacuation flow rates onto land are appropriate for use in ditching-related flotation time computations. Simulated evacuations from platforms into the CAMI survival tank were conducted to obtain passenger flow rate data that can be used to support the certification process.
Methods. A 12� x 12� platform was placed next to the tank. Platform (exit sill) heights of 9�, 2�, 4�, and 6� were employed; flotation seat cushions and inflatable life vests were used as individual flotation aids. Four subject groups performed 3 simulated evacuations at each platform height through a Type-I exit-sized opening; 4 other groups similarly used a Type-A exit-sized opening.
Results. A significant effect (p.001) of platform height above the water was found, as increasing heights resulted in monotonic decreases in flow rate. A significant effect (p.01) of flotation device type was also found, with flotation seat cushions producing the lowest flow rates, followed next by life vests that were uninflated until entry into the water, and then life vests that had been inflated before leaving the platform. Finally, the Type-A exit-sized platform configuration was significantly faster than was the Type-I configuration (p.05).
Conclusion. These effects suggest that in the best conditions, passenger flow rates into water are much like those onto land. However, the platform height effects suggest that airplane attitude in the water may be important, as is exit size. The use of flotation seat cushions as flotation aids should be a last resort.
Key Words: Aircraft Evacuation, Passageway Configuration, Hatch Operation, Competitive Egress, Individual Subject Characteristics, Passenger Management
No. of Pages: 12
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012