Turbine Engine Accident Investigation – Investigation Process Overview

Abstract – Using a case study on a recent accident, the presentation will provide an overview of the major phases of an authority-led investigation involving a large commercial airplane from the perspective of an engine manufacturer.  The material can also be used to facilitate a discussion, based on the interest/questions from the audience, on investigation protocols, career development/progression of an investigator, and Flight Safety.

Speaker – Douglas (Doug) Zabawa - Pratt & Whitney 

Senior Technical Fellow and Discipline Chief and Manager responsibilities for Commercial Engines Flight Safety Investigations.

Bio – Education:  Doug holds a Bachelor of Science (with Distinction) in Mechanical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University (1994), a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Western New England College (1999), a Certificate in Aviation Safety from the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering (2008) and an Advanced Aviation Safety Investigator Certificate from the Department of Transportation’s Transportation Safety Institute (2022).

He serves as a focal point for the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and similar foreign authorities, investigating Accidents and Incidents involving airplanes powered by Pratt & Whitney Large Commercial Engines and engines collaboratively/jointly developed with partner companies including the International Aero Engine (IAE) and Engine Alliance (EA) product lines.   Efforts on any given investigation can span from the initial communications/coordination regarding the notification of an occurrence to participation in on-scene and engine examination activities and follow-on support through to publication of a Final Report.  These responsibilities are typically fulfilled as a Party Coordinator or Technical Advisor to the NTSB.  As a Senior Technical Fellow, his responsibilities have expanded to include technical leadership of the Flight Safety Investigations Discipline for the companies’ Military Engines and Pratt & Whitney Canada investigators.

In addition to company internal Safety and investigative responsibilities, Doug represents Pratt & Whitney on Industry-level Safety initiatives including participation on the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Working Groups that published the 2010 report titled “High Bypass Ratio Turbine Engine Uncontained Rotor Events and Small Fragment Threat Characterization 1969-2006”, the 2017 report titled “3rd Technical Report On Propulsion System and Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Related Aircraft Safety Hazards” and the 2021 report titled “Continued Airworthiness Assessment Methodology: Lessons Learned”.  Doug is currently the co-chair of the AIA Continued Airworthiness Assessment Methodology (CAAM) Committee.  Doug has been an Associate Staff Member of the Department of Transportation’s Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) Aviation Safety Division since 2008 supporting the Turbine Engine Accident Investigation class.

Doug has been with Pratt & Whitney full-time since 1995 when he was hired as a Design/Structures Engineer.  Prior to joining the Commercial Flight Safety Investigations Group in 2005 he was responsible for the planning, execution, and post-test analysis of Bird Ingestion and Fan Blade Release tests.  Doug started his Pratt & Whitney career in the Structures Group in 1992 as a Co-op student.