title: Helicopter rotor blade injury: a persistent safety hazard in the U.S. Army.
abstract: Rotor blade injuries are an inherent hazard of helicopter operations. To determine the recent incidence of rotor blade injuries in the U.S. Army, a review of accident records (1972-91) was conducted. Crash-related injuries were not included. During the study period, there were 24 blade strike injuries (12 involving the main rotor), 11 (46%) of which were fatal. Comparison with previous reports indicates a lower rotor blade injury rate in the last decade than in any previous period. The head was injured most frequently (65%), followed by the chest (17%) and abdomen (7%). Protective helmets helped to reduce injury in several instances. Flight crew comprised 49% of the victims, passengers 29%, ground crew 14%, and bystanders 8%. Helicopter crews must maintain situational awareness when around turning blades--professional training alone does not guarantee protection from rotor blade injury.
authors.affiliation: Crew Life Support Branch, U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, AL 36362-5292.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Crowley
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Geyer
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D000401:Aircraft; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D014481:United States