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Geographic patterns of pilot fatality rates in commuter and air taxi crashes.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 2002 Oct; 73(10):1014-20.AS

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Geographic information systems are widely used in studies of diseases. However, their value for aviation safety research has not been adequately explored.

PURPOSE

This study examined the geographic patterns of pilot fatality rates in commuter and air taxi operations.

METHODS

Crash data recorded by the National Transportation Safety Board under FAR Part 135 were used to create a digital map of all crash sites in the continental United States between 1983 and 1998. Fatality rates in crashes were calculated and then interpolated to create a contoured map of rates. A test of significance was performed using Monte Carlo simulations. High-, medium-, and low-rate areas were then compared for pilot characteristics, airplane characteristics, and crash circumstance.

RESULTS

Of the 1094 commuter and air taxi crashes studied, 25% resulted in a pilot fatality. A large geographic area with a pilot fatality rate of > or = 36% extended through portions of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. A relatively low fatality rate (< 15%) prevailed over an area extending from Texas to northwest Georgia. Crashes in high-rate areas were significantly more likely than crashes elsewhere to have occurred at night and during instrument meteorological conditions.

CONCLUSION

The geographic analysis revealed a distinctive pattern of pilot fatality rates from Part 135 crashes. Factors underlying the geographic pattern should be investigated, with particular attention to the great geographic variability of terrain and weather phenomena between the north and south regions of the United States.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Grabowski JG
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. ghli@jhmi.edu
Curriero FC
No affiliation info available
Baker SP
No affiliation info available
Li G
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Accidents, AviationAdultAircraftHumansUnited States

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

12398265

Citation

Grabowski, Jurek G., et al. "Geographic Patterns of Pilot Fatality Rates in Commuter and Air Taxi Crashes." Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, vol. 73, no. 10, 2002, pp. 1014-20.
Grabowski JG, Curriero FC, Baker SP, et al. Geographic patterns of pilot fatality rates in commuter and air taxi crashes. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2002;73(10):1014-20.
Grabowski, J. G., Curriero, F. C., Baker, S. P., & Li, G. (2002). Geographic patterns of pilot fatality rates in commuter and air taxi crashes. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 73(10), 1014-20.
Grabowski JG, et al. Geographic Patterns of Pilot Fatality Rates in Commuter and Air Taxi Crashes. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2002;73(10):1014-20. PubMed PMID: 12398265.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Geographic patterns of pilot fatality rates in commuter and air taxi crashes. AU - Grabowski,Jurek G, AU - Curriero,Frank C, AU - Baker,Susan P, AU - Li,Guohua, PY - 2002/10/26/pubmed PY - 2003/2/7/medline PY - 2002/10/26/entrez SP - 1014 EP - 20 JF - Aviation, space, and environmental medicine JO - Aviat Space Environ Med VL - 73 IS - 10 N2 - BACKGROUND: Geographic information systems are widely used in studies of diseases. However, their value for aviation safety research has not been adequately explored. PURPOSE: This study examined the geographic patterns of pilot fatality rates in commuter and air taxi operations. METHODS: Crash data recorded by the National Transportation Safety Board under FAR Part 135 were used to create a digital map of all crash sites in the continental United States between 1983 and 1998. Fatality rates in crashes were calculated and then interpolated to create a contoured map of rates. A test of significance was performed using Monte Carlo simulations. High-, medium-, and low-rate areas were then compared for pilot characteristics, airplane characteristics, and crash circumstance. RESULTS: Of the 1094 commuter and air taxi crashes studied, 25% resulted in a pilot fatality. A large geographic area with a pilot fatality rate of > or = 36% extended through portions of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. A relatively low fatality rate (< 15%) prevailed over an area extending from Texas to northwest Georgia. Crashes in high-rate areas were significantly more likely than crashes elsewhere to have occurred at night and during instrument meteorological conditions. CONCLUSION: The geographic analysis revealed a distinctive pattern of pilot fatality rates from Part 135 crashes. Factors underlying the geographic pattern should be investigated, with particular attention to the great geographic variability of terrain and weather phenomena between the north and south regions of the United States. SN - 0095-6562 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/12398265/Geographic_patterns_of_pilot_fatality_rates_in_commuter_and_air_taxi_crashes_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -