Auto makers are well ahead of aviation industry.
NASA have released a report into the crew saftey at the time of the Challenger accident. It is clear that the challenger accident was not a survivable event but it beggars belief that given the flight profile on re-entry the following list is standard procedure....
Crew were not wearing all seat belts available (some had just lap belt)
Visors were up
Suits not pressurised
Gloves not worn
Helments were not close fitting (head made contact with inside of helmet)
Parachutes did not have auto deployment
Pressure suites had no auto mode
News report
NASA report details last moments of Columbia crew - Los Angeles Times
Link to report
NASA - Most Recent NASA Reports
NASA are planning to rectify all of the above.
Mickjoebill