EJECTION SEAT AIRCRAFT FATALITIES IN THE UNITED-STATES MILITARY, 1966TO 1990

When a military jet aircraft becomes incapable of controlled powered f light, the aircrew has the alternative of initiating the ejection sequ ence. In a majority of cases the ejection sequence is successful in ex tracting the aircrew from probable death. However, in a minority of ca ses the ejected air crew member does not survive. We analyzed 57 autop sy cases from 1966 to 1990 of military aircraft fatalities in which ej ection was initiated. These cases were analyzed for injury patterns, a ge, rank, military branch, type of aircraft and circumstances surround ing the ejection. The majority of fatalities occurred during ''out-of- envelope'' ejections and were associated with extreme whole-body traum a. Drowning fatalities were associated with relatively minor traumatic injury. Parachute malfunctions resulted in extreme total-body deceler ative injuries. The remainder of the fatalities were due to man-seat s eparation failure, human error, and unfortunate circumstances. Two cas es of hangman's type cervical neck fracture were observed during high- speed ejection.