Objective: To describe occupant and crash characteristics in the first 27 p
ublicly released investigations of air-bag-related fatalities. Methods: A r
etrospective review of the first 27 released crash investigations of air-ba
g-induced fatalities was conducted. Data were obtained by the National High
way Traffic Safety Administration. Results: Three separate groups of occupa
nts are described: adult drivers, school-aged children riding in the right
front passenger seat, and infants installed into rear-facing infant car sea
ts placed into the right front passenger seat. Female drivers were signific
antly likely to be short-statured. Male drivers tended to be slumped over t
he wheel. Eleven children (100%) were improperly restrained and thrown forw
ard by preimpact braking. Adults tended to have serious chest injuries, whi
le children tended to have CNS or neck injuries. All three infants had fata
l CNS injuries. The average (change in the vehicle's velocity at the moment
of impact) was 12 mph and the average bumper crash was 8.8 inches. Conclus
ions: Air bags can cause fatal injury to car occupants in low- or moderate-
speed crashes. Data suggest that proximity to the air bag at the time of de
ployment is the critical risk factor for fatal injury.