FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-83/8

Title and Subtitle: Crashworthiness: An illustrated commentary on occupant survival in general aviation accidents

Report Date: April 1983

Authors: Kirkham WR, Wicks SM, Lowrey DL

Abstract: This report is an illustrated commentary on crash survival in general aviation aircraft. Photographs, drawings, and discussion present some basic concepts of crash forces; mechanisms of injury to occupants; and the roles of shoulder harnesses, lapbelts, and seats in attenuating crash forces. Findings in a number of accidents relate seats and restraints to the fate of the occupants.

The report is designed to inform the reader of the value of good restraints in crashes of general aviation aircraft. Also it will serve to orient Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel and others to a set of projection slides that may be used wholly or in part in safety presentations to pilots and aviation groups. The projection slides, duplicates of the photographs and drawings in this report, are available from the Aeromedical Education Branch of the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute.

Key Words: Crashworthiness, Restraint systems, Aircraft accidents, Pilot education, Occupant survival

No. of Pages: 37