Methodologies to Assess the Influence and Cost Benefit of Technology on Vertical Lift Aircraft Mishaps and Fatalities

The current and planned service fleets of military rotorcraft were examined to arrive at an average number of rotorcraft expected to be lost and an estimated number of fatalities expected over the remaining service life of each rotorcraft type due to Class A mishaps. Using Department of Defense (DoD) assessments of mishap causes, a literature survey of relevant technology, and extensive discussions with industry and government technology experts, five technologies were selected for a cost-benefit assessment of technology's impact on reducing lost rotorcraft and lives. Government standard and in-house developed methods were used to conduct the cost-benefit assessment. Methodologies were developed to estimate future lost lives and destroyed rotorcraft based on rotorcraft history and remaining flight hours. Incorporation of promising technologies should be made as early as possible in the life cycle of the rotorcraft to get the maximum cost benefit; the out-year costs of rotorcraft and lives lost by not incorporating these technologies can be much larger than the upfront acquisition and integrations costs. Future examinations of this type would benefit from better documentation of the use/non-use of safety devices in the cabin, including seats and restraints.