United States Department of Transportation
i
Crashworthiness studies : cabin, seat, restraint, and injury findings in selected general aviation accidents.
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1982-03-01
[PDF-1022.41 KB]
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Abstract:This report reviews 47 survivable or partly survivable accidents investigated since 1973 by personnel from the Civil Aeromedical Institute. The accidents were reviewed for a number of features of crashworthiness and, in particular, for injuries to occupants in relation to the severity of the impact and the performance of cabin and restraint systems. Opinions were rendered by trained crash injury investigators as to the role or expected role in seats and upper torso restraints in adding to or lessening the injuries.
The data support the general concepts that nonoccupiable portions of the aircraft receive greater physical damage than occupiable areas. The greatest damage to the occupiable area is to the forward portion of cockpit/cabin and the occupants have a greater chance of survival if the cockpit/cabin remains reasonably intact. Occupants seated forward in the cockpit/cabin receive greater injuries than those seated more rearward.
Further, the findings suggest tha seat placement or seat failure to one degree or another intensified injuries (as compared to more optimum crashworthy seats) to occupants in at least 30 percent of the accidents reviewed. Upper torso restraints, in the few instances used, were beneficial, and had they been used by all occupants, would have significantly reduced the injuries. The report discusses the relation of the occupant to the seat and restraint system and the apparent benefit to be derived from a well-designed impact attenuating seat and, in particular, use of an upper torso restraint.
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