Computerized Aircraft Accident Investigation: Federal Aviation Administration Safety Inspectors’ Perceptions

David S. Ryan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to solicit the perceptions of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on the use of a personal computer in the aircraft accident investigation process. A descriptive study survey questionnaire was used to collect the data for the study, which was sent to 150 FAA ASIs. The data collected supported the hypothesis that aircraft accident investigators think the use of a computer will help them with accident report form completion, managing the accident data collected, and in determining the factors contributing to the accident. Furthermore, the data supported the hypothesis that the use of a computer would make the overall process of aircraft accident investigation more efficient.