@article{ref1,
title="Fixed-wing medical transport crashes: Characteristics associated with fatal outcomes",
journal="Air Medical Journal",
year="2011",
author="Handel, Daniel A. and Yackel, Thomas R.",
volume="30",
number="3",
pages="149-152",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Previous studies within the aeromedical literature have looked at factors associated with fatal outcomes in helicopter medical transport, but no analysis has been conducted on fixed-wing aeromedical flights. The purpose of this study was to look at fatality rates in fixed-wing aeromedical transport and compare them with general aviation and helicopter aeromedical flights. METHODS: This study looked at factors associated with fatal outcomes in fixed-wing aeromedical flights, using the National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Incident Database from 1984 to 2009. RESULTS: Fatal outcomes were significantly higher in medical flights (35.6 vs. 19.7%), with more aircraft fires (20.3 vs. 10.5%) and on-ground collisions (5.1 vs. 2.0%) compared with commercial flights. Aircraft fires occurred in 12 of the 21 fatal crashes (57.1%), compared with only 2 of the 38 nonfatal crashes (5.3%) (P < .001). In the multiple logistic regression model, the only factor with increased odds of a fatal outcome was the presence of a fire (56.89; 95% CI, 4.28-808.23). CONCLUSIONS: Similar to published studies in helicopter medical transport, postcrash fires are the primary factor associated with fatal outcomes in fixed-wing aeromedical flights.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1067-991X",
doi="10.1016/j.amj.2010.11.007",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amj.2010.11.007"
}