THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CRASHWORTHY COMPOSITE FUSELAGE AND LANDING GEAR

This paper presents the results of a recent research program dealing with the development of a composite landing gear and a composite central section of a 20.000 lbs gross weight helicopter. The selection of the protection level is discussed including impact conditions and required criteria for survivability such as human tolerance, residual volume for occupants and post crash fire. Workshare in energy absorption between landing gear and structure is presented based on analysis and tests. A step by step development program has been adopted. The first step concerns the selection of suitable technology for subfloor structure. Then a main frame has been developed in order to sustain dynamic loads from heavy mass items. Finally a full scale central section with an equipped anthropomorphic dummy has been dropped with a 28 ft/s vertical velocity. The results are shown and discussed. A composite landing gear with high energy absorption capability has been developed, manufactured and drop tested. The analysis and test results are presented.