Using Information Technology and Simulation to Reduce the Commercial Aircraft Accident Rate

A collaborative government/industry effort to reduce the commercial aircraft accident rate is described. The proposed program is based on established military technology and will incorporate the routine application of advanced nondestructive inspection techniques. An aircraft Information Management System (AIMS) is suggested as the program's data archive and central information and tracking network. The program will provide continual monitoring of the condition of individual aircraft by the owners and operators, and, through trend analysis, by the manufacturers and cognizant transportation authorities.