Natural Sunlight and Its Association to Aviation Accidents: Frequency and Prevention

Civil Aerospace Medical Institute2003PDFTech ReportNakagawara, V. B.Wood, K. J.Montgomery, R. W.United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Office of Aerospace MedicineUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited StatesAir trafficAir transportation crashesAirline pilotsAltitudeApproachAviation safetyCrash causesCrash ratesDatabasesGlareLandingPreventionReflectionRisk assessmentSunlightTakeoffTerrainTraffic congestionTransmission linesTreesUtility polesWeatherAviation visionAccident riskVisual impairmentAfterimageFlashblindnessDOT/FAA/AM-03/6Glare is a temporary visual sensation produced by luminance (brightness) within the visual field that is significantly greater than that to which the eyes are adapted. Aviators may be subjected to intense glare from natural and artificial light sources that can result in temporary visual impairment, greatly increasing the risk of accidents. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between visual impairment from natural sunlight and aviation accidents.120