This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Development of a Safety Assessment Methodology for the Risk of Collision of an Unmanned Aircraft System with the Ground
Technical Paper
2011-01-2684
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Recent technological developments and increased utilization of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have widened their application from military operations to also civil and commercial operations. UAS are most beneficial when they can share the whole airspace with manned aircraft. However, integration of UAS into non-segregated airspace is only viable if UAS operations are proved to be safe enough. The concern is that UAS operations could pose a safety problem for other aircraft and persons or property on the ground [19].
The objective of this paper is to develop and apply a safety risk analysis methodology for the risk of collision of an Unmanned Aircraft System with the ground. Such method could support regulators with the setting of UAS safety requirements. It may also be used by applicants (UAS operators and manufacturers) for identification of UAS related hazards, causal factors, and accident scenarios. The method provides insight into the probability of a UAS collision with the ground in relation with safety objectives and requirements.
To better understand the differences between manned and unmanned aircraft, UAS performance characteristics are examined. This helps to clarify in which airspace classes the different available UAS may be able to fly. This concerns the broad range of size, various configurations and different performance characteristics (maximum takeoff weight, maximum flight altitude, endurance and maximum speed).
Next, causal models are developed for each accident scenario that may result in a collision with the ground. These causal models are represented as Event Sequence Diagrams (ESDs) and Fault Trees (FTs), and provide a logical structure showing how hazards and causal factors could combine to cause a collision with the ground. This approach utilizes the Causal model for Air Transport Safety (CATS) developed for the Dutch Ministry of Transport [1]. Specific UAS related ESDs are added to cover UAS specific hazards that do not exist in manned aircraft operation [12]. Using the newly developed ESDs, a UAS accident probability model is developed for determination of the frequency of occurrence of a UAS accident in relation with safety objectives and requirements.
In third party risk analyses, usually Societal risk (to a group) and Individual risk (to individuals at a location) are evaluated. It is recommended to extend the method with an accident location model and an accident consequence model, in order to assess UAS third party risk in terms of these risk metrics.
Recommended Content
| Technical Paper | Determining a Safety Baseline for Unmanned Aircraft Systems |
| Journal Article | Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety Risk Management |
| Aerospace Standard | Human Factor Considerations for Outdoor Laser Operations in the Navigable Airspace |
Authors
Topic
Citation
Ozuncer, D., Speijker, L., Stoop, J., and Curran, R., "Development of a Safety Assessment Methodology for the Risk of Collision of an Unmanned Aircraft System with the Ground," SAE Technical Paper 2011-01-2684, 2011, https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-2684.Also In
References
- Ale, B. Bellamy, L.J. Cooke, R.M. Duyvis, M. Kurowicka, D. Lin, P.H. Morales, O. Roelen, A. Spouge, J. Causal model for air transport safety - Final Report 2009
- Kuchar, J. Safety Analysis Methodology for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Collision Avoidance Systems 6th USA / Europe Seminar on Air Traffic Management Research and Development Baltimore, MD 2005
- Clothier, R. Walker, R. Fulton, N. Campbell, D. A Casualty Risk Analysis For Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Over Inhabited Areas AIAC12 - Twelfth Australian International Aerospace Congress,2nd Australasian Unmanned Air Vehicles Conference 19 22 March 2007
- Luxhøj, J. Safety Risk Analysis of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration into the National Airspace System (NAS): Phase 1 Final Report Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration 2008
- Oztekin, A. Luxhøj, J. Hazard Safety, Risk and Uncertainity Modeling of the Integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the National Airspace 26 th International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS) 2008
- Clothier, R. Walker, R. Determination and evaluation of UAV safety objectives Proceedings of 21st International Unmanned Air Vehicle Conference Bristol, United Kingdom 18.1 18.16 2006
- ICAO; Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Circular 328- AN/190 978-92-9231-751-5
- UVS International Unmanned Aircraft Systems Yearbook 8 th 2010/2011
- FAA Airspace Classifications Chapter 8, the National Airspace System
- EUROCONTROL Safety Assessment Methodology, Version 2.1 November 2006
- UAV Task-Force Final Report, A Concept For European Regulations For Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), The Joint JAA/EUROCONTROL Initiative on UAVs 11 May 2004
- Ozuncer, A.D. Development of a Safety Assessment Methodology for the Risk of Collision of a Unmanned Aircraft System with the Ground MSc thesis 2011
- Benson, A.J. Spatial disorientation - a perspective RTO HFM Symposium on Spatial Disorientation in Military Vehicles: Causes, Consequences and Cures La Coruna, Spain 15 17 April 2002
- Weibel, R.E. Hansman, R.J. Safety considerations for operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the National Airspace System Report No. ICAT-2005-1 March 2005
- EUROCONTROL Unmanned Aircraft Systems - ATM Collision Avoidance Requirements (Phase 1) 1.2 14 December 2009
- EUROCONTROL Specifications for the Use of military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as Operational Air Traffic outside segregated Airspace 2007
- de Jong, H. (DFS) Lopez, R. Priego (ISDEFE) Scope of risks and safety criteria, INOUI D5.0b 27 March 2009
- Durrett, D. de Jong, H. (DFS) Tattersall, J. (Rheinmetall) Functional Hazard Analysis, INOUI D5.2 29 June 2009
- Speijker, L.J.P. Lee, X. van de Leijgraaf, R. Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety Risk Management, NLR-TP-2011-324 August 2011