Survival in Emergency Escape from Passenger Aircraft

Abstract : The human factors data from three aircraft accidents involving emergency evacuations are reviewed. Of the 261 passengers aboard, 105 died in attempts to escape during the 1- to 3-minutes prior to the build-up of a lethal thermotoxic environment within the cabin. In all three accidents, decelerative forces were mild and cabin destruction and impact injuries minimal. The three most prominent factors influencing survival were found to be: distance between the occupant's seat and the exit he attempts to use; sex, with adult males having a strong advantage; among adult males, age, with younger males the more frequent survivors. Age and sex are also significant factors in determining frequency and severity of injuries among survivors. Comparison of the accident evacutions with test evacutions indicate that, in the latter, the biobehavioral factors disadvantageous to elderly males and adult females are not present. (Author)