A critical analysis of the fatal injuries resulting from the Continental flight 1713 airline disaster: evidence in favor of improved passenger restraint systems.

Abstract

To examine the mechanisms of injury and death in a commercial airline disaster and to propose preventative safety measures based on this analysis. Denver County Coroner's Office and the National Transportation Safety Board. Those patients suffering fatal injuries as a result of the Continental Flight 1713 Airline crash. Autopsy records from the Denver County Coroner's Office were reviewed with the causes of death determined. In many instances there was significant injury to more than one anatomic region in a single individual, each analyzed independently. There were 28 fatalities: nine died of mechanical asphyxiation, one of a penetrating cranial injury, and 18 of blunt trauma. The blunt injuries were remarkably similar to the deceleration injuries seen in high-speed motor vehicle crashes. Head trauma was the most common fatal blunt injury, followed by injuries to the chest and the abdomen. Thirty-six percent of the head injuries and 27% of the chest injuries had associated cervical and thoracic spine fractures, respectively. Analysis revealed a marked similarity in injury pattern sustained by seatmates, with a high incidence of fatal and serious injuries suffered by those passengers sitting in the front half of the airplane. Fatal blunt injury secondary to deceleration forces was the most common cause of death seen in this analysis. The use of a lap belt restraint system alone is not adequate to protect passengers against these forces as shown convincingly in the automotive industry literature. What impact a better passenger restraint system may have had on survival in this disaster is unknown, however, at a minimum, it would have significantly improved survival for 6 of 28 passengers dying of isolated blunt head trauma. Minor alterations in aircraft design (secure bolting of passenger seats to the airplane superstructure) and passenger restraints (3-point lap and shoulder harness system) is proposed to positively influence survival during an airplane crash at negligible increased airline expense or passenger inconvenience.