The first ever published study of aviation-related injuries and deaths in the U.S. finds that, on average, 1,013 patients are admitted to U.S. hospitals with aviation-related injuries annually, and that an average of 753 aviation-deaths occur each year.

The study, conducted by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for Injury Research and Policy and Columbia University, reports that the largest categories of patients — 32% — were occupants of GA aircraft, while 29% were parachutists. For aircraft occupants as well as parachutists, lower limb fractures were the most common injury, encompassing 27% of all hospitalized injuries. While burns were seen in only 2.5% of patients, they were responsible for 13% of deaths. The report is published in the December issue of Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine.

“Our findings provide valuable information, not previously available, on the number and kinds of injuries sustained in aviation-related events,” said lead author Susan Baker, professor with the Injury Center. “Because many injuries can be prevented through changes in the structure of aircraft, these data should be used to recognize needed improvements in aircraft design. For example, the high numbers of lower limb fractures suggest modifications should be considered to the various structures likely to be contacted by the feet and legs when a crash occurs.”

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