Hull loss

A hull loss is an aviation accident that damages the aircraft beyond economical repair,[2] resulting in a total loss. The term also applies to situations in which the aircraft is missing, the search for their wreckage is terminated, or the wreckage is logistically inaccessible.[3]

Number of fatalities from airliners' hull loss accidents per year (1940–2023)
Wreckage of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, which was written off as a hull-loss accident[1]

The metric of "Hull losses per 100,000 flight departures" has been used in the aviation industry to measure the relative risk of a given flight or aircraft.[2] From 1959 to 2006, the first part of the mainstream jet aircraft era, 384 of 835 hull losses, or 46%, were non-fatal.[4] Airlines typically have insurance to cover hull loss on a twelve-month basis.

Constructive hull loss takes into account other incidental expenses beyond repair, such as salvage, logistical costs of repairing non-airworthy aircraft within the confines of the incident site, and recertifying the aircraft, among other factors. Insurance policies covering any asset that is subject to depreciation typically pay the insured a formulaic used item value, so the property will often be a write-off as full repairs minus this sum resemble a cost of a new replacement.

History

Early Aviation Era (1900s-1920s)

During the early days of aviation, aircraft were relatively simple and often experimental. Hull losses were common due to limited understanding of aerodynamics and aircraft technology. Pioneering aviators like the Wright Brothers and their contemporaries faced numerous accidents and losses,[5] but these experiences helped advance aviation knowledge.

World War I and World War II

Both World Wars saw extensive use of military aircraft, leading to numerous hull losses in combat.[6] The lessons learned from wartime aviation contributed to significant advancements in aviation technology and safety, including innovations in aircraft design and engineering.

Post-World War II Era (1940s-1950s)

The post-war period witnessed the rapid development of commercial aviation.[7] The introduction of pressurized cabins, jet engines, and improved navigation systems reduced the likelihood of hull losses in commercial aviation.

Jet Age (1950s-1960s)

The introduction of jet airliners, such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8, marked a new era in commercial aviation. These aircraft were faster, more reliable, and had longer ranges, leading to increased safety.[8] However, the early years of the jet age also saw some high-profile accidents and hull losses, prompting improvements in training and safety regulations.

Modern Era (1970s-Present)

The 1970s brought significant advancements in aviation safety, including the development of cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) and flight data recorders (FDRs) to aid investigations into hull loss incidents. The introduction of stringent safety regulations by aviation authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), further reduced the risk of hull losses. Advances in aircraft technology, such as the development of fly-by-wire systems, improved navigation, and computerized maintenance systems, contributed to enhanced safety and reliability. Notable incidents like the Tenerife airport disaster (1977), the crash of Air France Flight 447 (2009), and the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (2014) highlighted the importance of continuous improvement in aviation safety.

Over the decades, the aviation industry has experienced a decline in the rate of hull losses per flight hour, demonstrating a significant improvement in safety. Future challenges to aviation safety include unmanned aerial vehicles, commercial spaceflight, and cybersecurity.

See also

References
  1. Norris, Guy (July 6, 2013). "NTSB Investigates Asiana 777 Accident In San Francisco". Aviation Week. McGraw Hill Financial. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2013. The Asiana accident represents only the third hull loss for the 777 since the aircraft entered service in 1995.
  2. Barnett, A. (2009). "Chapter 11. Aviation Safety and Security". In Belobaba, P.; Odoni, Amedeo; Barnhart, Cynthia (eds.). The Global Airline Industry. pp. 313–342. doi:10.1002/9780470744734.ch11. ISBN 9780470744734.
  3. Jones, Richard (2011). 20% Chance of Rain: Exploring the Concept of Risk. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1118116364.
  4. Rick Darby. "Fewer Fatalities in Hull Loss Accidents" (PDF). Flightsafety.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  5. "1901 to 1910 | The Wilbur and Orville Wright Timeline, 1846 to 1948 | Articles and Essays | Wilbur and Orville Wright Papers at the Library of Congress | Digital Collections | Library of Congress". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  6. Ellis, John (1995). World War II: a statistical survey ; the essential facts and figures for all the combatants (Reprinted with corr ed.). New York: Facts on File. ISBN 978-0-8160-2971-6.
  7. "Commercial Aviation at Mid-Century". airandspace.si.edu. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  8. "The Jet Age". airandspace.si.edu. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
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