Forensic Systems Engineering

12Case Study: Madelena Airframes Corporation

CHAPTER MENU

1. 12.1 Background of the Case
2. 12.2 Problem Description
3. 12.2.1 MAC Policies and Procedures (Missile Production)
4. 12.2.2 Missile Test
5. 12.3 Examining the Evidence
6. 12.3.1 Evidence: The Players
7. 12.3.2 Evidence: E‐mails
8. 12.4 Depositions
9. 12.4.1 Deposition of the General Manager
10. 12.4.2 Deposition of the Senior Test Engineer
11. 12.4.3 Deposition of the Production Manager
12. 12.4.4 Deposition of the Chief Design Engineer
13. 12.4.5 Deposition of the Test Programs Manager
14. 12.5 Problem Analysis
15. 12.5.1 Review of the Evidence
16. 12.5.2 Nonconformities
17. 12.5.2.1 Clause 7.3.1(b) Design and Development Planning
18. 12.5.2.2 Clause 7.3.5 Design and Development Verification
19. 12.5.2.3 Clause 7.3.6 Design and Development Validation
20. 12.5.2.4 Clause 8.1 General Test Requirements
21. 12.5.2.5 Clause 8.2.4 Monitoring and Measurement of Product
22. 12.5.2.6 Clause 4.1 General QMS Requirements
23. 12.5.2.7 Clause 5.6.1 General Management Review Requirements
24. 12.6 Arriving at the Truth
25. 12.7 Damages
26. 12.7.1 Synthesis of Damages
27. 12.7.2 Costs of Correction
28. References

I worked as an aerospace systems engineer in industry and for the government for 25 years, 9 years in the design of control systems and 16 years in testing of large systems with embedded computers. The case study narrated in the following pages is based on real events and situations that I witnessed during this career. However, the names of persons and of corporations are fictional. The cited government agencies do ...