Through the canopy glass: a comparison of injuries in Naval Aviation ejections through the canopy and after canopy jettison, 1977 to 1990.
Two methods of ejection from tactical aircraft are commonly used: jettisoning the canopy prior to seat travel, and ejecting through a closed canopy. This report compares the ejection injury experience of Naval Aviation in each mode during January 1977-August 1990. During that period, 336 through-canopy and 580 canopy-jettison ejections were accomplished. The former group sustained 10.7% fatal injuries, and only 17.0% egressed injury-free. By comparison, the latter cohort incurred only 4.7% fatalities and fully 31.9% egressed without injury. Analysis of patterns of injuries confirms higher G-forces in through-canopy ejections, resulting in not only more injuries, but more severe injuries. In spite of these findings, we discuss the compelling tactical and financial reasons to consider through-canopy systems.
Yacavone
D W
DW
Naval Safety Center, Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA 23511-5796.
Bason
R
R
Borowsky
M S
MS
D000060:Accidents, Aviation / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000401:Aircraft; D000531:Altitude; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D012449:Safety; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality