Abstract
DE VOOGT AJ, VAN DOORN RRA. Accidents associated with aerobatic maneuvers in U.S. aviation. Aviat Space Environ Med 2009; 80:732-3. Background: Aerobatic flights are the most significant risk factor for fatal injury and make up 50% of U.S. accidents in general aviation involving airport transport pilots. Method: An analysis of the dangers of these maneuvers is presented using 25 yr of U.S. reported accidents. Results: More than 80% of the 494 accidents were fatal. The main cause of accident was not maintaining (proper) altitude while adverse weather was not present as a cause of accident. Nearly half the number of pilots had over 7500 h of flight experience. Homebuilt aircraft appear significantly more likely to lie part of a fatal accident, showing more structural, engine, and system failures. Conclusion: Although there is a downward trend in the number of aerobatic-related accidents, the reduction of accidents is much assisted by either regulation or awareness training of pilots using homebuilt aircraft in aerobatic maneuvers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 732-733 |
| Journal | Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine |
| Volume | 80 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2009 |