Course
Description
Investigating the engine aspects of aviation accidents is a complex,
difficult challenge. This is especially true when the new high technology
gas turbine engines now in use in commercial aviation are involved. The
investigator, even if familiar with the traditional tools and techniques of
powerplant investigation must update this knowledge to include the design
aspects and failure modes of these new engines.
This
course is aimed at gas turbine engines installed in aircraft as part of the
propulsion system. The initial part of the course is designed so that the
student will receive a general understanding of the terminology, layout and
function of the internal workings of a jet engine allowing the student to
focus on the investigative techniques, technology and analysis required in
the more technical part of the GTAI course.
The
course will discuss the basic modules of the jet engine including the inlet,
fan, compression, burner, turbine and exhaust system from the standpoint of
how they react as either causes or in ground impact damage in airplane
accidents. The course offers an in-depth understanding of all the leading
causes of engine related incidents and accidents as well as an up-to-date
understanding of the interaction between these causes, the aircraft and the
flight crew.
You
will learn to recognize the post crash evidence of the most serious engine
related accidents - catastrophic rupture of the engine due to uncontained
failures, and bird and ice ingestion. You will learn to recognize so-called
"benign" engine failures but also will be introduced to how such failures
coupled with crew error can lead to a catastrophic accident.
Just as
important to the investigation as the accurate gathering of evidence is the
clear, concise and accurate reporting of that evidence to include clear,
logical conclusions. The final part of this course will introduce you to the
significance of a good report and how to draw conclusions that will support
practical recommendations. Finally, you will gain some understanding of the
relationship between the involvement of an engine and the rest of the
aircraft and operation. This will be done through actual evidence and
summaries of studies and work of various industry-wide committees.
When
you have completed this course you will have the skill and knowledge to
actively and effectively participate in a gas turbine accident investigation
and make the necessary field determinations
Who
Should Attend
Any individual who will
be involved in turbine powered aircraft accident investigations (this
includes engine specialists as well as generalist investigators).
NOTE 1: This is not a basic investigation course. While not absolutely
required, it is highly recommended that anyone planning to attend the GTAI
course have completed a basic course in aircraft accident investigation or
have experience in such investigations.
How You
Will Benefit
-
You will expand your
knowledge of the characteristics, failure modes, and investigation
methods for modern, high-technology gas turbine engines employed
in aviation.
-
You will learn the
relationship of engines to the causes of aircraft accidents and
the probable relationships of engine failures to accident causation
-
Practical examples
and case studies will enhance your theoretical knowledge.
-
The Board of Certified
Safety Professionals accepts this course for Continuance of Certification
credit.
-
This course is one
of the elective courses for the Certificate in Aircraft Accident
Investigation granted by SCSI.
-
SCSI will award 3.6
CEUs to each participant who successfully completes this course.
Course Topics
- Types of Gas
Turbine engines
- History of the
Gas Turbine Engine
- Inlet systems
- Terminology of
the Gas Turbine Engine
- Components of
the Gas Turbine Engine
- Manufacturing
techniques used in the production of the Modern gas Turbine Engine
- Durability
coatings
- Fuel,
electrical and operating system basics
- FOD / DOD and
Engine related incidents
- Typical
aviation gas turbine design and historical failures associated with
each type.
- Major engine
events related to accidents - pre and post crash
- Basic field
investigation plan, tools and techniques
- Assessing
various evidence such as power/speed at impact, angle of impact, and
in-flight ingestion (birds, ice, and ash)
- Identifying
in-flight damage
- Identification
of evidence of key event types such as high & low speed water
impact, titanium compressor fire, and turbine over temperature
- Preparing the
report (causal findings and analysis)
- Advanced
topics such as: rotor disc failure causes; engine surging and blade
fatigue; and engines and crew error
Course
Administration
Taught at the
DoubleTree Hotel on the waterfront in San Pedro
in Southern California the Jet
Engine Accident Investigation Course consists of 4.5 training
days. Students receive
a textbook, lecture outlines, additional reference material and
a Certificate of Completion. Classes begin daily at 0800 and
end at noon on the last day.
Course
Instructor
Alan T. Weaver. Mr. Weaver has 43 years experience with Pratt & Whitney during which
he was active in the field of structural testing, certification standards
and flight safety. He was the chairman of four FAA/Industry Committees,
"Engine Ice Hazards," "Bird Ingestion Hazards," "Engine Failure Analysis,"
and "Continued Airworthiness." Mr. Weaver has been involved in conducting
and assessing the certification ingestion and blade loss tests used in the
development of gas turbines. he has been instrumental in the development of
the dynamic test facilities for testing of containment, bird and foreign
object ingestion. He was named as a "Fellow" in Airworthiness and
Accident/Incident Investigations by Pratt and Whitney in 1995 and Sr. Fellow
in 1997. He was the recipient of the Engineer of the Year Award in 1989 for
Pratt and Whitney Commercial Engineering for his contribution to the
industry in the field of Ingestion threats to gas turbines. Mr. Weaver is a
member of several technical societies including ISASI. He has participated
in numerous large transport type accident and incident investigations and
has provided expert testimony in several NTSB public hearings.
Thomas R. Wondrock.
Mr. Wondrock has worked as an OEM engineer in the field of gas
turbine engine design, development, manufacturing and test for more that 35
years. He has extensive experience with many military and commercial gas
turbine engine models current and past. He has acted as technical advisor
on several powerplant related mishaps providing analysis, recommendations
and corrective actions. He has acted as the Senior Propulsion Flight Test
Representative at Edwards Air Force Base and performed flight testing on
the F-15 / F-16 and NASA’s ACTIVE and VISTA flight test programs at Dryden
Space Flight Center in California.
Typical Comments from Attendees
-
"Instructor's knowledge
is excellent. Overall an excellent course."
-
"Instructor has a wealth
of knowledge"
-
"I can recommend this
course with confidence."
-
"Great course.
Instructor provides a wealth of information that is likely to be unequaled
in the industry."
-
"The course is very good
and the instructor is very friendly and patient and he has a lot of
experience."
Course Schedule, Location and Tuition
