Correlates of pilot fatality in general aviation crashes.
BACKGROUND
General aviation accounts for the majority of aviation crashes and casualties in the United States, and general aviation safety has not improved in the past decade.


OBJECTIVE
This study identifies factors associated with pilot fatality in general aviation crashes.


METHODS
We analyzed the National Transportation Safety Board's Factual Reports for all airplane and helicopter crashes of general aviation flights that occurred in North Carolina and Maryland during 1985 through 1994. Surviving pilots were compared with fatally injured pilots in relation to crash circumstances, and pilot and aircraft characteristics, at bivariate level and multivariate level.


RESULTS
A total of 667 crashes resulted in 276 deaths and 368 injuries during the 10-yr period in the two states. Of the pilots-in-command involved in these crashes, 146 (22%) died. The case fatality rate for pilots was significantly higher in crashes that occurred between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. (34%), away from airports (36%), with aircraft fire (69%), or in instrument meteorological weather conditions (IMC) (71%). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the significant correlates of pilot fatality were aircraft fire [odds ratio (OR) 13.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.9-27.2], off-airport location (OR 9.9, 95% CI 5.0-19.6), IMC (OR 9.1, 95% CI 4.3-19.6), nighttime (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.7), and pilot age > or = 50 yr (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-3.0). Pilot gender, flight experience, principal profession, and type of aircraft (airplane vs. helicopter) were not significantly associated with the likelihood of survival.


CONCLUSIONS
The most important correlates of pilot fatality are variables likely related to increased impact forces. Better occupant protection equipment, such as air bag and crashworthy fuel system, are needed for general aviation aircraft.
Li
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Department of Emergency Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287-2080, USA.
Baker
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SP
D000060:Accidents, Aviation / Q000401:mortality* / Q000639:trends; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D014887:Weather