Analysis of Injuries among Pilots Killed in Fatal Helicopter Accidents
Taneja N, Wiegmann DA. Analysis of injuries among pilots killed in fatal helicopter accidents. Aviat Space Environ Med 2003; 74:337–41.
Background: Despite advancements in the crashworthiness of helicopters, both the rate and severity of injuries sustained in helicopter accidents remain a cause for concern. The mechanism and pattern of injuries sustained in aircraft accidents can provide vital information for improving survivability. The purpose of this study was to analyze patterns of injuries sustained by pilots involved in fatal helicopter accidents. Method: Detailed information on the pattern and nature of injuries was retrieved from the Federal Aviation Administration’s autopsy database for pilots involved in fatal helicopter accidents from 1993 to 1999. Results: A review of 84 autopsies revealed that blunt trauma was cited as the primary cause of death in 88.1% of these cases. The most commonly occurring bony injuries were fractures of the ribs (73.8%), skull (51.2%), facial bones (47.6%), tibia (34.5%), thorax (32.1%), and pelvis (31.0%). Common organ/visceral injuries included injury to the brain (61.9%), lung (60.7%), liver (47.6%), heart (41.7%), aorta (38.1%), and spleen (32.1%). Injury patterns did not appear to be related to the age of the pilot or the phase of flight. The use of a shoulder harness afforded protection to the occupant against certain injuries. Conclusions: The findings and their significance are explained in the overall context of crash survivability and have implications for the design of crashworthy aircraft and making helicopter accidents more survivable.
Background: Despite advancements in the crashworthiness of helicopters, both the rate and severity of injuries sustained in helicopter accidents remain a cause for concern. The mechanism and pattern of injuries sustained in aircraft accidents can provide vital information for improving survivability. The purpose of this study was to analyze patterns of injuries sustained by pilots involved in fatal helicopter accidents. Method: Detailed information on the pattern and nature of injuries was retrieved from the Federal Aviation Administration’s autopsy database for pilots involved in fatal helicopter accidents from 1993 to 1999. Results: A review of 84 autopsies revealed that blunt trauma was cited as the primary cause of death in 88.1% of these cases. The most commonly occurring bony injuries were fractures of the ribs (73.8%), skull (51.2%), facial bones (47.6%), tibia (34.5%), thorax (32.1%), and pelvis (31.0%). Common organ/visceral injuries included injury to the brain (61.9%), lung (60.7%), liver (47.6%), heart (41.7%), aorta (38.1%), and spleen (32.1%). Injury patterns did not appear to be related to the age of the pilot or the phase of flight. The use of a shoulder harness afforded protection to the occupant against certain injuries. Conclusions: The findings and their significance are explained in the overall context of crash survivability and have implications for the design of crashworthy aircraft and making helicopter accidents more survivable.
Keywords: autopsy; helicopter accidents; injuries; survivability
Document Type: Short Communication
Publication date: 01 April 2003
- The peer-reviewed monthly journal, Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine (ASEM) provides contact with physicians, life scientists, bioengineers, and medical specialists working in both basic medical research and in its clinical applications. It is the most used and cited journal in its field. ASEM is distributed to more than 80 nations.
To access volumes 86 to present, please click here. - Information for Authors
- Submit a Paper
- Subscribe to this Title
- Membership Information
- Information for Advertisers
- Submit Articles
- Ingenta Connect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites
- Access Key
- Free content
- Partial Free content
- New content
- Open access content
- Partial Open access content
- Subscribed content
- Partial Subscribed content
- Free trial content