Objective Evaluation of the Somatogravic Illusion from Flight Data of an Airplane Accident

(1) Background: It is difficult for accident investigators to objectively determine whether spatial disorientation may have contributed a fatal airplane accident. In this paper, we evaluate three methods reconstruct the possible occurrence of somatogravic illusion based on flight data recordings from an (2) Methods: The outputs two vestibular models were compared with “standard” method, which uses unprocessed gravito-inertial acceleration (GIA). (3) Results: All predicted that changing orientation GIA would lead when no visual references available. However, not able explain first pitch-down control input by pilot flying, been triggered inadvertent activation go-around mode and corresponding pitch-up moment. Both few seconds delay in illusory tilt due central processing sensory integration. (4) Conclusions: While it method best perceived during without pilot’s pitch perception, both go beyond analysis taking into account validated dynamics, they also other illusions. respect, benefit unified model better actions accidents related disorientation.