Will Primarily Be Used In Accident Investigation Courses

The newest member of the Robertson Aircraft Accident Investigation Lab (i.e., Crash Lab), a 1976 Beechcraft Baron, arrived on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s main Arizona campus on Monday, Nov. 25. The aircraft was donated by Honeywell in Phoenix and will be studied and used by students in Embry-Riddle’s Safety Science program.

Prior to arriving at Embry-Riddle, the Baron had been used for research, development, certification and demonstration of Bendix King products for the past 40 years. When Honeywell recently reevaluated its current fleet, the company found the 40-year-old aircraft was no longer needed and it approached Embry-Riddle about donating the aircraft.

“We are extremely grateful to Honeywell for this donation,” said Ed Coleman, Embry-Riddle Safety Science Department Chair. “This donation will enable us to expand our lab and is part of an ongoing effort to increase the exhibits available for our students.”

Initial plans are to keep the aircraft intact and remove some of the panels to allow students to study aircraft components on a complete aircraft prior to examining accident aircraft in undergraduate and graduate accident investigation courses. It will also be utilized to study human factors design. For example, the Baron does not have engine controls in the typical configuration seen in most other aircraft and thus will allow students to examine how this minor change could affect pilots who move between different aircraft types. There are other idiosyncrasies that will also be studied as part of the human factors curriculum.

Additionally, students will also be able to study the aircraft as part of the aircraft survivability course. Interior design, seats, restraints and exits will all be used to demonstrate survivability aspects of small aircraft.

Embry-Riddle’s Robertson Safety Institute will also take advantage of the aircraft for use in professional education courses offered to industry. These courses are designed for current industry personnel to increase their knowledge base and expose them to actual aircraft in the crash lab. The addition of the Baron will elevate this hands-on experience.

“Embry-Riddle has a long-standing, robust relationship with Honeywell,” said Steve Bobinsky, Executive Director of Development. “More than 250 employees are among those that call Embry-Riddle their alma mater. Over the years, Honeywell has provided Industry Advisory Board (IAB) members, and worked with faculty and students on capstone and other research/hands-on design and development projects.”

(Image provided with ERAU news release)

FMI: www.erau.edu
www.honeywell.com