Particular risk analysis: impact on hybrid aircraft design

Purpose This document presents a Particular Risks Assessment (PRA) performed on an Uncontained Engine Rotor Failure (UERF) event for the new aircraft design hybrid Extremely Short Take Off and Landing All Surface (ESTOLAS) aircraft. All three propellers of the ESTOLAS (one hub propeller and two feed propellers) are evaluated for their impact on the aircraft in case of an UERF. The purpose of this paper is to present an illustration of the safety analysis and its requirement in new aircraft development. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used is in accordance with the aerospace industry safety standard Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) Aerospace Recommended Practices (ARP) 4,761 (Guidelines and Methods for Conducting the Safety Assessment Process on Civil Airborne Systems and Equipment). Trajectory analyses are used on a digital mock-up of the aircraft to simulate the movement of the propeller blade fragments and its effect on the aircraft and its systems. Findings The paper provides an insight into the industry practice of performing PRA on new aircraft designs. The study identifies safe and unsafe regions of the aircraft, with the UERF event in mind. Technical solutions are suggested to minimize the damage to the aircraft and its systems. Originality/value This document fulfills the originality criterion, since it is an analysis performed on a new aircraft design the ESTOLAS.