Analyzing Emerging Challenges for Data-Driven Predictive Aircraft Maintenance Using Agent-Based Modeling and Hazard Identification

Journal Article (2023)
Authors

Juseong Lee (Air Transport & Operations)

M. Mitici (Universiteit Utrecht)

Henk A.P. Blom (Air Transport & Operations)

Pierre Bieber (Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales)

Floris Freeman (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)

Research Group
Air Transport & Operations
Copyright
© 2023 J. Lee, M.A. Mitici, H.A.P. Blom, Pierre Bieber, Floris Freeman
To reference this document use:
https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace10020186
More Info
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Publication Year
2023
Language
English
Copyright
© 2023 J. Lee, M.A. Mitici, H.A.P. Blom, Pierre Bieber, Floris Freeman
Research Group
Air Transport & Operations
Issue number
2
Volume number
10
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace10020186
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Abstract

The increasing use of on-board sensor monitoring and data-driven algorithms has stimulated the recent shift to data-driven predictive maintenance for aircraft. This paper discusses emerging challenges for data-driven predictive aircraft maintenance. We identify new hazards associated with the introduction of data-driven technologies into aircraft maintenance using a structured brainstorming conducted with a panel of maintenance experts. This brainstorming is facilitated by a prior modeling of the aircraft maintenance process as an agent-based model. As a result, we identify 20 hazards associated with data-driven predictive aircraft maintenance. We validate these hazards in the context of maintenance-related aircraft incidents that occurred between 2008 and 2013. Based on our findings, the main challenges identified for data-driven predictive maintenance are: (i) improving the reliability of the condition monitoring systems and diagnostics/prognostics algorithms, (ii) ensuring timely and accurate communication between the agents, and (iii) building the stakeholders’ trust in the new data-driven technologies.