Reducing injuries and fatalities
According to NTSB, two fundamental approaches can be implemented to reduce aerial work accident injuries and fatalities.
🔸 One way is to suggest improvements to the aircraft, the flying environment, or work on pilot performance. This is where instructors, managers, and frontline pilots can be relevant and make a difference.
🔸 A second method is to increase the likelihood that airplane occupants will survive a crash or avoid injury. This is where manufacturers, industry researchers, and authorities should step in.
💡 Innovation in safety belt systems is a good example of the 2nd.
Amsafe Aviation Safety Belt Airbag System
In the video provided below, the AmSafe Aviation safety belt airbag system is demonstrated during tests conducted by Air Tractor, Inc
Watch the following additional videos to learn more:
Safety studies available
Amsafe has also conducted a study evaluating fixed wing survivability.
Shout-out to Amsafe for the efforts, and to #AirTractor and #Fireboss for offering it as a standard feature! Safety features should always be standard.
That’s admirable work in the right direction. Thanks!
🤔 But what about its effectiveness?
🤔 Is there more independent data available?
🤔 Is there any negative outcome?
These points and many more are explained in the following aviation safety independent study performed by #ntsb, back in 2011.
Summary of abstract 👇
◆ During the 3-year data collection period, researchers tracked 145 notifications of events involving airbag-equipped airplanes which yielded 10 airbag-equipped GA airplane accidents that met the study criteria and were subjected to a full review and analysis by a multidisciplinary team.
◆ There were no unexpected deployments or unintended consequences identified during the study period.
◆ When adjusted correctly, the deployment of the airbag systems did not result in any negative outcomes, and in certain cases, deployment mitigated the severity of occupant injuries.
◆ The NTSB concluded that aviation airbags can mitigate occupant injuries in severe but survivable crashes in which the principal direction of force is longitudinal.
◆ Furthermore, it states there is no evidence that airbags hindered egress, fueled post-crash fires, or interfered with rescue efforts.
◆ A negative aspect is that some occupants still misused or incorrectly adjusted their restraints, resulting in reduced protection or injury.
🗣 My view
➊ For both #SEAT and #scoopers, request them if they are not installed. As they inflate and deflate so quickly, they should not interfere when egressing. Conversely, they will increase the chance of preserving consciousness and reducing head trauma.
➋ Make sure you use them properly, are correctly fitted, and understand how they work if you have them.
