Introduction of Glass Cockpit Avionics into Light Aircraft Safety Study NTSB/SS-01/10 National PB2010-917001 Transportation Safety Board NTSB/SS-10/01 PB2010-917001 Notation 7954A Adopted March 9, 2010 Safety Study Introduction of Glass Cockpit Avionics into Light Aircraft National Transportation Safety Board 490 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20594 National Transportation Safety Board. 2010. Introduction of Glass Cockpit Avionics into Light Aircraft. Safety Study NTSB/SS-10/01. Washington, DC. Abstract: This study used manufacturer records, aircraft investigation information, and a tailored subset of general aviation activity survey data to assess how the transition to electronic primary flight display (PFD) avionics has affected the safety of light aircraft. The study also evaluated the resources and requirements supporting the transition to this new technology. The results of this study suggest that, for the aircraft and time period studied, the introduction of glass cockpit PFDs has not yet resulted in the anticipated improvement in safety when compared to similar aircraft with conventional instruments. Advanced avionics and electronic displays can increase the safety potential of general aviation aircraft operations by providing pilots with more operational and safety-related information and functionality, but more effort is needed to ensure that pilots are prepared to realize that potential. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), manufacturers, aviation industry groups, and academia have an established history of collaboration through the FAA Industry Training Standards (FITS) program initiative for supporting aircraft model-specific and scenario-based training techniques that would teach pilots “higher-order thinking skills.” However, the FAA has changed the focus of the FITS initiative and has to date relied on manufacturers and commercial vendors to deliver the equipment-specific training originally envisioned for FITS. Adoption of uniform equipment-specific training elements by the FAA to ensure pilots have adequate knowledge of aircraft equipment operation and malfunctions, as well as improved reporting of equipment malfunctions and service difficulties, is likely to improve the safety of general aviation operations beyond those involving aircraft with glass cockpit displays. However, such actions are particularly important in order to achieve the potential safety benefits associated with advanced cockpit technologies in light aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency dedicated to promoting aviation, railroad, highway, marine, pipeline, and hazardous materials safety. Established in 1967, the agency is mandated by Congress through the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports, safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and statistical reviews. Recent publications are available in their entirety on the Internet at <http://www.ntsb.gov>. 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NTSB Aviation Safety Study Contents Figures ........................................................................................................................................... iii Abbreviated Terms ........................................................................................................................v Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Background .................................................................................................................1 Introduction of Glass Cockpit Displays into Light Aircraft ............................................................1 History of Advanced Cockpit Avionics ...........................................................................................4 Advanced Avionics in General Aviation ...................................................................................4 Previous Lessons Learned ........................................................................................................5 General Aviation Research to Date..................................................................................................7 General Aviation Safety Record ......................................................................................................8 Chapter 2: Study Design and Methodology...............................................................................11 Study Design Issues .......................................................................................................................11 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................12 Study Aircraft Fleet .................................................................................................................13 Activity Survey .......................................................................................................................14 Accident Data .........................................................................................................................15 Analyses .........................................................................................................................................15 Statistical Comparisons ..........................................................................................................16 Chapter 3: Quantitative Analysis Results..................................................................................18 Description of Study Fleet .............................................................................................................18 Description of Study Accidents .....................................................................................................19 Accident Information .....................................................................................................................19 Accident Involvement .............................................................................................................20 Accident Severity ....................................................................................................................21 Activity, Exposure Data, and Accident Rates ................................................................................22 Flight Conditions ...........................................................................................................................25 Time of Day ............................................................................................................................25 Weather Conditions.................................................................................................................27 Flight Plan Filed .....................................................................................................................28 Purpose of Flight ............................................................................................................................29 Planned Length of Flight ........................................................................................................31 Phase of Flight ........................................................................................................................32 Accident Event Type ...............................................................................................................33 Accident Pilot Information ............................................................................................................34 Number of Pilots .....................................................................................................................34 Pilot Age .................................................................................................................................34 Pilot Certificate Level .............................................................................................................35 Pilot Instrument Rating ...........................................................................................................35 Pilot Flight Hours ...................................................................................................................36 i NTSB Aviation Safety Study Summary of Quantitative Analysis Results ...................................................................................37