indestructible black box that is used on airplanes, Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff??

Answer 1

I would say it is simply a huge engineering feat that would be difficult to achieve. Think of it this way. If you were assigned the task of creating a airplane that would protect the occupants regardless of the situation, you would have to take the following into consideration.

1. Accommodate deceleration forces from 450 knots to 0 knots in a fraction of a second. This equates to a gigantic G force. Humans do not fare well in sudden changes in acceleration.

2. Must survive fire. The aircraft cabin must be completely sealed from fire and we know the wings are full of a lot of fuel. Some planes have fuel inside the aircraft body so that will have to be accommodated too.

3. Must survive water. If you crash into water, the cabin must be sealed so people do not die from drowning.

I think the main issue is designing something that can withstand the G forces imposed on it by a crash. A black box contains electronics which are less susceptible to G forces but also the box is relatively small so the engineer can reasonably design a package to absorb the G forces imposed on it. The same goes for the fire and water protection.

Now if an airplane was designed that could protect the occupants, it would surely weigh more which means bigger engines which means more fuel which means fewer passengers per plane. That means is that your ticket to fly on this airplane would cost $1000 versus $200. Most people would probably risk the $800 difference and fly on the cheaper airplane.

Very good question!

Answer 2

Short answer, BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE THE ROADS WIDE ENOUGH!
Just in case you're new to sarcasm, it's because if the entire plane is made like the "black" box (really, high visibility orange), it would never get off the ground.
Also, they're NOT indestructible, as several burned up from fuel fires in the old days when they were mounted where the wing meets the fuselage (the strongest part of the structure, but also where the fuel tanks are [in the wings]). So they moved them to the back of the aft cargo compartment. Which probably started the rumor that the back of the plane is the safest place to set in case of a crash.
While I've never heard of an airplane backing into a mountain at 300 mph, bottom line is, no matter which end of the banana goes into the Cuisinart last, it all comes out looking the same.

Answer 3

The main misconception here is that the "black box" is not indestructible. It is housed near the tail of the aircraft, which tends to be the last bit to arrive at the scene of the crash, after the bodies of the passengers have absorbed the bulk of the energy. It is dense, padded, and reinforced, actually built with the intention of surviving an impact. An airframe is not. It is designed to fly, which is a whole 'nuther thing.
There have been a number of crashes in which the severity of impact has at least damaged the data recorder (also known as "black box"), if not destroyed it; beyond use anyway.

Answer 4

Why is this same question asked over and over and over again?

1. Plane would be too heavy to fly.
2. It would not protect the passengers in a crash. Tape an egg to the inside of a large metal box. Drop it from a high place, observe the remains of the egg. That's the passengers.

Answer 5

Weight has been suggested as a design driver but i suspect that the real answer to your question is simply cost. They could make the whole plane out of extremely durable materials like the flight recorder. But the cost of making an aircraft, impact, fire, water, lightning, and radiation proof would mean that no-one on earth would be able to afford the ticket prices. Also it is much easier to protect a small box of electronic recording equipment than it is a large passenger plane with 200 + passengers on board.

Answer 6

It would be too heavy to fly. Also the impact force of an indestructible airplane crashing at 350mph would turn the passengers into rice pudding.

Answer 7

I suppose they could if they had motors big enough to get the thing off the ground but what good would that do? The people inside still wouldn't be indestructable huh?

Answer 8

No, But i did try and many times to eat soup with a spoon, especially if a soup is thick (you can thicken the soup effectively by adding some flour). It takes more time, so I enjoy it longer

Answer 9

The plane would be too heavy for starters ~~

Answer 10

Because they would be too heavy to fly