AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INJURIES: A REVIEW OF OVER 2,000 CASES,
Abstract
During the calendar years 1953 and 1955, over 8,000 personnel were involved in major USAF aircraft accidents. Eighteen and seven-tenths per cent of these occupants received fatal injuries and 5.2% received major injuries. However, 76.1% received minor or no injury. Most fatalities were due to multiple traumatic lesions. Most major nonfatal lesions were fractures, especially of the vertebrae. However, burns and surface wounds were frequent. The head and the distal third of the extremities received the majority of injuries and were associated with flailing of these unsecured body portions during deceleration. Concerning deceleration, when impact forces were moderate or negligible, there were few injuries; when impact was severe, injury was frequent and often fatal; when it was extreme, fatal results were the rule. In all accidents there was increased injury if the seat tore loose or if the seat belt was not used. If the occupant was in a seat facing the rear of the aircraft, he was less liable to be injured than if he faced forward. This was especially true in low impact accidents where the seat was more liable to remain moored to the floor. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1957
- Accession Number
- AD0663760
Entities
People
- H. G. Moseley