This post is not a criticism of operator or crew practices.
Passenger seat belts, *nothing unusual* to be seen in these pictures, but should we expect better design, can we do better?
The picture suggests that the waist worn life vest interfered with optimal seat belt positioning, by forcing the locking clasp upwards. This is not uncommon, it is normal practice.
The higher the position of the seat belt clasp:
1/ the shoulder belts move inwards from shoulder toward the neck.
2/ The lap belts no longer "pin" the pelvis against the seat cushion.
https://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pi.../seatbelts.pdf
Consider the effects of ill-fitting belts on the occupant during a partially or fully inverted impact.
The life vest is only useful if the passenger, pilot or co-passenger remains conscious to deploy it.
Life vest versus seat belt
A high clasp position moves shoulder belt into neck?
Pilot helmets.
The video portrays the explosive effect of the impact. Fortunately the pilot was not blinded or concussed by the debris and so was able to land. He was also filmed pulling a passenger from wreckage. What do we think of flight helmets for pilots in single pilot, commercial passenger ops? Law enforcement, media and medevac ops have transitioned to helmets. It seems a small price to pay to replace a slice of swiss with cheddar?
Mjb