Cranfield Safety & Accident Investigation Centre
Safety and Accident Investigation Research
The Cranfield Safety and Accident Investigation actively supports research in areas relating to transportation safety management and accident investigation. Our staff are actively involved in a range of research projects within aviation and rail transport as well as in the ongoing supervision of students at the Masters and PhD levels.
Air Transport Management MSc research
Students undertaking the MSc in Air Transport Management are able to complete their thesis in areas relating to safety and investigation. Recently completed MSc theses within Air Transport include:
- Ageing aircraft: an assessment of the cost and safety implications of their continuing use
- A study into the airborne and ground detection systems for Microbursts
- An analysis of possible solutions to the problem of controlled flight into terrain
- The cost of cabin safety modifications
- Airport security - Functions and Integration
- The future management of aviation safety and accident investigation in South America
- Managing safety on the airport apron
- Accidents and incidents attributed to aircraft icing and winter operations
- An analysis of current engine non-containment regulations
- A study of the implications of changes in apron safety management systems for the aviation industry
- Crisis management: Airline emergency planning. Guidelines for best practices concerning alliances, code-sharing and related matters
- On board use of Personal Electronic Devices (PED) and their implications on safety
- Should the standards of fire and rescue provision at airports be raised, and if so, how?
- Safety and operational considerations of mixed and variable aircraft in the context of a similar fleet
- Do accidents have an impact on airline performance?
- Airside safety management at the new Athens Airport.
- An audit of industry response to the threat of controlled flight into terrain and approach and landing accidents
- Long-haul pilot fatigue: the problem and cost effective safe crewing
- The price of saving passenger lives with reference to Asia Pacific and Latin America
- A critical analysis of safety communication within UK airlines
- A critical evaluation of the use of smokehoods and cabin water mist systems as a means of enhancing cabin safety
Research Degrees (MPhil / PhD)
The Cranfield Safety and Accident Investigation Centre offers the opportunity for gifted students to undertake research to the award of an MPhil or PhD. Under the supervision of our experienced staff, a student will conduct research in an area relating to safety or accident investigation on a full- or part-time basis.
Prospective students are encouraged to contact us to discuss details of their proposed area of study prior to formal application. This will allow us to explore supervision options and assist you in the preparation of a research plan.
Current PhD students are looking at issues including:
- The economics of safety – a case study of offshore helicopter operations
- A multiple criteria decision approach for aviation safety assessment
- Competencies for transport accident investigators
- Maintenance human factors in the helicopter industry
- English language skills in Malaysian Air Traffic Controllers
- Safety management in the African aviation industry
- Accident investigation management
Further information on research programmes in Department of Air Transport.
