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Summary
Per year, approximately 120 aircrafts shoot of the runway. According the law in Europe, the runway is not allowed to be used when this aircraft occupies the runway. While the aircraft lies near the runway, an enormous economical damage builds up; The capacity of the airport decreases, which causes queues in the air and on the ground for landing and for take-of. The airspace will become full and aircrafts will be diverted to other airports. Furthermore, an aircraft which lies next to the runway is bad advertisement for the airport and the airlines. Thus it is very important that the aircraft is recovered fast. However, when an aircraft is recovered too quickly, the chance it is repairable is smaller.
The Insurance Company, the airport, the airline and the recovery company all have their own interests. Every party will try to keep their costs as low as possible.
As soon as an accident happens, the government and authorities will be informed. Soon after that, the insurance company will be informed. The insurance company arranges the further settlement of the claim. With this settlement are four types of financial interest involved:
1. Material damage: All the damage that occurred to the aircraft, due to the accident. The cost of the recovery also counts as material damage because it is directly related to the aircraft. 2. Indirect operational cost: These costs occur when an airplane has to be rerouted to other
airports.
3. Responsibility cost: These costs are dependent on the question of guilt. It is strongly dependent on the accident.
4. Non waivable amount: Although a certain party is insured for economical damage, there is always a non waivable amount that has to be paid by the insured party. The height of this amount depends strongly on the accident.
When an accident happens, a certain process starts. This process scan be divided in six steps; Secure the situation, plan the operation, prepare the site, prepare the aircraft, lift the aircraft and transport the aircraft.
The recovery starts with the securing of the situation. The aircraft has to be stabilized (by shoring) and the passengers will be brought to a place of safety.
After that, the planning begins. This has to be done by a capable team. If a team is certified, a discount on insurance contribution can be arranged.
The first step of the recovery is the preparation of the site where the aircraft is located. The recovery equipment has to be able to reach the aircraft. Therefore the ground has to be stabilized.
5 The second step is the preparation of the aircraft itself. The aircraft has to be as light as possible, and therefore fuel and cargo has to be removed. Possibly parts has to be removed.
With the next step, the lifting of the aircraft, the difficulty lies in the arc movement which the aircraft makes. For this heavier equipment could be required. The equipment which can be used for lifting aircrafts are separated into three groups:
1. Airbags 2. Cranes 3. Jacks
For all the three groups holds that only on a limited number of places on the aircraft, a force can be exerted. With the use of airbags, pallets could be used to support the aircraft on other points than only where the airbags are. For cranes, a special sling is needed to lift the aircraft on the fuselage. For lifting at the wings, the overwing panels have to be removed. Four places on the aircraft are designed as a support point for a jack.
For transporting the aircraft, the difficulty lies in the softness of the ground. On a soft ground, it is difficult to move the equipment; Because of the high pressure, the aircraft will slip into the ground. Equipment that can be used for transportation of aircrafts can be devided in four groups: towing equipment (when landing gear is serviceable), trailers (on which the aircraft can be laid if landing gear lacks), movable cranes and sledges (a trailer without wheels which can slide on soft ground).
New developments in the aircraft recovery are;
x Circular Air cushions: Airbags which are easyer adaptable to the shape of the fuselage than conventional airbags. The advantage is that lower pressure is exerted on the aircrafts skin. x Extra Large airbags: Airbags which are suitable to lift the airbus A380. When an Airbus A380
has to be recovered, a solution has to be available.
x R2S recovery system: A combination between a jack and airbags. This system is light and small.
x Extra strong pallets: Pallets that are lighter, survive a recovery and can save place by shove into each other. This decreases the costs because there is no need to buy new pallets each recovery.
x The M.A.R.S.: A development of the Delft University of Technology. This machine is in some cases able to lift and transport an aircraft. It could reduce the secondary damage and increase the speed of a recovery.
