Factors associated with fatalities and injuries from hot-air balloon crashes.
BACKGROUND
Despite the increased popularity of hot-air balloon flight, data on injuries and fatalities associated with hot-air balloon crashes are limited.


OBJECTIVE
To determine factors associated with injury and death in hot-air balloon crashes.


METHODS
Retrospective review of data collected from reports and investigations by the Civil Aeronautics Board and the National Transportation Safety Board.


METHODS
Individuals involved in US hot-air balloon crashes from 1964 to 1995.


METHODS
Total number of crashes and factors associated with fatality or serious injury.


RESULTS
From 1964 to 1995, a total of 495 hot-air balloon crashes involving 1533 persons were reported and included 92 fatalities and 384 serious injuries. Pilot error or incapacitation was determined subjectively by crash investigators to contribute to 85.1% of the crashes. In univariate analysis, collision with the ground was the most significant predictor of a fatality or serious injury (P<.001), and power-line contact was the most significant predictor of fatality (P<.001). In multiple logistic regression, only the type of object struck by a balloon predicted a fatal crash or a fatality or serious injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Although a number of factors likely contribute to increased severity of hot-air balloon crashes, the object struck during a crash is most predictive of fatality or serious injury. Preventive efforts are needed to decrease future injuries.
Cowl
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Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, USA.
Jones
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Lynch
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Sprince
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Zwerling
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Fuortes
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D000060:Accidents, Aviation / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000401:Aircraft / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D011998:Recreation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*