scope:

This chapter will deal only with those subjects directly associated with the determination of the aircraft's final attitude. speed. configuration. and air worthiness at the time of impact . The information gathered at the wreckage site almost always leads to more detailed investigations elsewhere . The on-site investigation is normally conducted in two phases . The first phase is conducting a general survey. taking care not to disturb the location and positional attitude of the aircraft parts. and ob-serving the general pattern of the wreckage, and the surrounding terrain. The information gathered from the first general survey is compared to other information concerning the mishap in an attempt to develop hypotheses concerning the mishap sequence and areas in which more data needs to be gathered. The second phase is a more detailed investigation conducted to gain additional information in the high-interest areas. The information provides overall guidance to the investigation planning. and organization. Both the general and detailed wreckage and site investigations will be covered in this chapter. Specific attention will be given to investigative methods and tools used to perform impact analysi