Cyclic Hotline
5th May 2002, 00:37
This is the actual NIOSH study (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5116a3.htm), it is more informative than a summary news version. Timely reminder at this time of the year, as the summer season gears up.
Alaska Leads Nation in Civilian Pilot Deaths
Mon Apr 29, 2:09 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Poor weather conditions, outdated fuel systems and the need to fly at night have helped to make civilian plane crashes the leading cause of occupational death in Alaska, according to a recent report.
The study by researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (news - web sites) (CDC) found that airplane crashes caused 107 deaths among civilian pilots between 1990 and 1999 in Alaska--roughly 5 times the death rate for all US pilots and 100 times the mortality rate for US workers in general. What's more, deaths among civilian pilots in Alaska have surpassed fatalities among workers in the fishing and logging industries, two of the state's main industries.
To investigate why more civilian pilots in Alaska were dying, researchers with the CDC and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health analyzed national crash reports. Their study revealed that flying at night, poor weather conditions requiring the use of special instruments to navigate, failing to use a seatbelt, and crashes involving a fire were associated with pilot deaths.
For instance, pilots were 14 times more likely to die in a crash when a fire occurred and 7 times more likely to die in a crash that occurred during conditions of poor visibility requiring the use of special instruments.
Pilots flying in darkness or away from an airport were twice as likely to die in a crash, the researchers report in the April 26th issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, issued by the CDC.
"Additional pilot training, improved fuel systems that are less likely to ignite in crashes, and company policies that discourage flying in poor weather conditions might help decrease pilot fatalities," the report indicates.
In Alaska, 90% of communities are not connected to a highway. As a result, commuter and air taxi flights are needed to transport passengers and deliver mail and services throughout the state.
"Companies should direct pilots to return to base if they encounter weather requiring instrument use and to avoid flying if they are likely to encounter (weather requiring instrument use)," the investigators conclude. "Use of improved fuel systems that are less likely to ignite following a crash could improve post-crash survivability."
SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2002;51:347-349.
Alaska Leads Nation in Civilian Pilot Deaths
Mon Apr 29, 2:09 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Poor weather conditions, outdated fuel systems and the need to fly at night have helped to make civilian plane crashes the leading cause of occupational death in Alaska, according to a recent report.
The study by researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (news - web sites) (CDC) found that airplane crashes caused 107 deaths among civilian pilots between 1990 and 1999 in Alaska--roughly 5 times the death rate for all US pilots and 100 times the mortality rate for US workers in general. What's more, deaths among civilian pilots in Alaska have surpassed fatalities among workers in the fishing and logging industries, two of the state's main industries.
To investigate why more civilian pilots in Alaska were dying, researchers with the CDC and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health analyzed national crash reports. Their study revealed that flying at night, poor weather conditions requiring the use of special instruments to navigate, failing to use a seatbelt, and crashes involving a fire were associated with pilot deaths.
For instance, pilots were 14 times more likely to die in a crash when a fire occurred and 7 times more likely to die in a crash that occurred during conditions of poor visibility requiring the use of special instruments.
Pilots flying in darkness or away from an airport were twice as likely to die in a crash, the researchers report in the April 26th issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, issued by the CDC.
"Additional pilot training, improved fuel systems that are less likely to ignite in crashes, and company policies that discourage flying in poor weather conditions might help decrease pilot fatalities," the report indicates.
In Alaska, 90% of communities are not connected to a highway. As a result, commuter and air taxi flights are needed to transport passengers and deliver mail and services throughout the state.
"Companies should direct pilots to return to base if they encounter weather requiring instrument use and to avoid flying if they are likely to encounter (weather requiring instrument use)," the investigators conclude. "Use of improved fuel systems that are less likely to ignite following a crash could improve post-crash survivability."
SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2002;51:347-349.