Abstract
Airplanes rely on a balance between the four forces of flight: lift, weight, thrust, and drag. If these forces are balanced, the airplane will remain stable. However, if structurally or systematically compromised, the motion can rapidly become unstable. In the aviation industry, mistakes in repairs and aircraft design can lead to accidents causing the loss of life in some cases. In this article, we will be analyzing what happened 70 Japan Airlines flight 123 and how the flight’s motion deteriorated due to a defective repair. More specifically, we will discuss the aerodynamic effects of phugoid motion and how it developed on Japan Airlines flight 123 through mathematical analysis prior to the crash.
Recommended Citation
Drake Scheuermann, Dereth J J.
(2026)
"Simulations of Phugoid Motion of JAL 123,"
Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 84, No. 2, Article 4.
Available at:
https://journal.georgiaacademyofscience.org/gjs/vol84/iss2/4