A Search for Safer Flight
For decades, aviation engineers have sought ways to give passengers a chance of survival in the rare event of an air crash.
Now, two innovators say they have found a potential solution by looking back at ground-based crash protection.
Inspiration from the Air India Disaster
The idea emerged after the Air India Flight 171 disaster in Ahmedabad three months ago, which killed almost everyone on board.
Project Rebirth was created to respond to such tragedies by deploying life-saving crash technology.
Survival System Explained
The system is powered by artificial intelligence designed to anticipate mechanical failures and emergencies before they unfold.
When triggered, it deploys a large protective airbag cocoon around the aircraft.
Rapid Deployment of Airbags
The airbags are made of layered high-strength fabric that expands from the nose, belly and tail of the aircraft.
Developers say the full system inflates in less than two seconds, absorbing much of the impact.
Online Presentation
The project’s website includes mock-ups of the design and deployment sequence.
The images appear AI-generated and contain spelling mistakes and a distinctive yellow tint.
Created in Dubai
Project Rebirth was developed by Eshel Wasim and Dharsan Srinivasan at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Dubai.
They described it as “more than engineering – a response to grief.”
Added Safety Features
The design calls for staggered deployment of airbags, release of CO2 canisters, and onboard sensors to alert pilots.
Drag parachutes are also used to slow the plane for a controlled emergency landing.
Concerns About Feasibility
Experts have questioned whether the system could trigger accidentally and what additional weight it would add to an aircraft.
They warn that such drawbacks could drive up costs for airlines.
Personal Drive Behind Project
Wasim said he was inspired to design a survival system after witnessing his mother’s reaction to the Air India disaster.
Flight 171 was headed for London Gatwick before crashing seconds after takeoff.
Investigation into Crash
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
They are examining whether fuel lever switches may have been mistakenly deployed just after takeoff.
Uncertain Circumstances
Investigators have yet to confirm whether the incident was caused deliberately or by accident.
The case remains open.
Born from Heartbreak
The engineers said the project grew out of a moment of personal grief and determination.
“Why isn’t there a system for survival after failure?” Wasim asked.
Dyson Award Recognition
Project Rebirth has been named a finalist for the prestigious James Dyson Award.
The prize honours innovations that could change lives worldwide.
Part of a Wider Movement
The concept is the latest in a long series of unconventional proposals to improve aviation safety.
Some have gained global attention but never reached commercial use.
Previous Radical Design
In 2016, Ukrainian inventor Vladimir Nikolaevich Tatarenko presented a detachable aircraft cabin concept.
It was designed with Kevlar and carbon fibre and supported by parachutes.
Flaws in Cabin Concept
Critics warned the detachable fuselage could weaken aircraft structures.
They also feared uncontrolled falling cabins would endanger people on the ground.
Alternative Safety Approaches
Other proposals have focused on parachute systems capable of bringing down entire aircraft safely.
Some have already been implemented on smaller planes.
Cirrus Aircraft Solution
The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System received FAA approval in 1998.
It remains the only fully certified parachute design of its kind for planes.
Rocket-Powered Deployment
The system uses a solid-fuel rocket housed in the fuselage to activate a parachute within seconds.
It allows the entire plane to descend at a controlled speed.
Track Record in Crashes
By 2019, 21 out of 24 aircraft that deployed the Cirrus parachute system were successfully repaired and returned to service.
The results have been described as encouraging but limited.
Context in Aviation
Aviation remains one of the safest modes of transport despite high-profile tragedies.
Accident rates have fallen steadily over the decades.
Statistical Evidence
According to IATA’s most recent report, only 1.14 flights per million worldwide were involved in accidents last year.
Fatalities were rarer still.
Debate on Necessity
Critics argue projects like Rebirth may be unnecessary given the rarity of accidents.
They say research should focus more on prevention than post-crash survival.
Supporters Defend Innovation
Supporters of the project say even if survival rates are low, saving a handful of lives is worth pursuing.
They also argue that innovation often emerges from radical ideas.
Role of Regulators
For the system to move forward, it would require approval from authorities, including the FAA and EASA.
That process could take years of testing and certification.
Cost vs Benefit
Airlines will also weigh the cost of installing such systems against potential benefits.
So far, most commercial operators have resisted high-cost survival innovations.
Divided Opinions
The aviation community remains split over whether the benefits justify the investment.
Some experts say bold proposals can inspire future safety breakthroughs.
Symbol of Hope
For the two young engineers, the project is ultimately about hope.
“Rebirth is a promise that even after failure, there can be a second chance,” Srinivasan said.
M10News Technology Desk | Contact: tech@m10news.com
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