Development of a Virtual Reality Environment for Teaching and Learning in Air Accident Investigation

Abstract

This thesis addresses the challenge of effectively training aviation accident investigators by developing a Virtual Reality (VR) environment based on the 2010 Alaska USAF C-17 Globemaster III transport plane crash. Traditional methods, such as reading accident reports and analysing static diagrams, are insufficient for understanding the complex, three-dimensional nature of aviation accidents. The aim of this research was to develop and empirically evaluate a VR model as a complementary educational tool, enhancing investigators' cognitive and procedural understanding through immersive learning. The VR model operates using manufactured data to simulate realistic air accident scenarios, enabling consistent and scalable visualisation for training and analysis purposes. A key feature of the system is its support for structured input via CSV files, allowing the dynamic visualisation of flight behaviours without manual keyframe animation. This design ensures scalability and adaptability, capable of accommodating hundreds of variables efficiently. The model’s capacity for visual inspection, interaction, and contextual immersion highlights its potential as a complementary tool within safety-critical domains, adding cognitive and experiential depth to air accident investigation training. The study adopted a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative measures. Quantitatively, 101 participants (67 male, 35 female) across three age groups (18–24, 25–34, 35–44) were exposed to both traditional accident reports and the VR simulation. Gender differences were not statistically significant, though the youngest group (18–24) demonstrated higher adaptability to VR. Statistical analysis showed that VR simulations significantly enhanced comprehension, retention, and recall of 3 accident data by approximately 25–30% compared to traditional methods. The findings highlight that while both educational tools are effective, VR simulations provide additional perceived benefits that extend understanding beyond what is achievable through text-based reports alone. This underscores the potential of integrating VR technology into aviation safety training programmes to complement conventional approaches and provide a more comprehensive, interactive, and scalable learning experience.

Keywords: Virtual reality framework; Air Accident investigation report; virtual reality; learning; Interactive learning; Aviation safety