Injury Patterns and Mechanisms in Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Rotary-Wing Helicopter Crashes
Abstract
A review of injuries resulting from U.S. Army combat and non-combat rotary-wing medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) mishap events and civilian helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) mishap events was conducted. Data related to U.S. Army rotary-wing MEDEVAC accidents was obtained from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center; injury data related to , U.S. Army MEDEVAC combat-related incidents (CRIs) was obtained from the Defense Casualty Information Processing System (DCIPS), and injury data from civilian HEMS accidents was obtained from an online aviation accident investigation database maintained by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Frequency of injuries, injury type, injury severity, and injury mechanism were calculated by body region for 184 mishap events that included 717 occupants; 196 occupants suffered 547 injuries of varying severities. The core of the body (thorax and abdomen) was the most frequently injured body region followed by the extremities; internal organ injuries and fractures/dislocation/crush injuries were the two most common injury types; blunt force was identified as the most common injury mechanism. The primary aim of this study was to identify patterns of injury and associated injury mechanisms resulting from rotary-wing MEDEVAC mishap events to inform the design of future MEDEVAC aircraft that will support injury prevention for aircrew, cabin crew, and patients.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1154140
Entities
People
- Frederick T. Brozoski
- Jennifer D. Dudek
- Kimberly B. Vasquez
- Maria M. Bukowska
- S. M. Conti
- Shelby N. Sous
- Valeta C. Chancey
Organizations
- United States Army