Composite-Fuselage Concept for Greater Crashworthiness

A continuing program of research is directed toward the development of crashworthy composite-material fuselages for small aircraft. These fuselages are required not only to withstand flight loads and exhibit the required aerodynamic characteristics, but also to protect occupants during crashes more effectively than do conventional fuselages. The design goal for protection against crashes is to limit loads applied to occupants to survivable levels in vertical impacts onto rigid surfaces at a speed of 31 ft/s (9.4 m/s). This vertical impact speed exceeds that specified in current regulatory criteria for small aircraft, but it is a realistic, potentially survivable, impact velocity that has been observed in crashes and in crash tests performed at Langley Research Center.