TY - JOUR PY - 1998// TI - Factors associated with fatalities and injuries from hot-air balloon crashes JO - JAMA journal of the American Medical Association A1 - Cowl, Clayton T. A1 - Jones, Michael P. A1 - Lynch, Charles F. A1 - Sprince, N. L. A1 - Zwerling, Craig S. A1 - Fuortes, L. J. SP - 1011 EP - 1014 VL - 279 IS - 13 N2 - CONTEXT: Despite the increased popularity of hot-air balloon flight, data on injuries and fatalities associated with hot-air balloon crashes are limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with injury and death in hot-air balloon crashes. DESIGN: Retrospective review of data collected from reports and investigations by the Civil Aeronautics Board and the National Transportation Safety Board. STUDY SUBJECTS: Individuals involved in US hot-air balloon crashes from 1964 to 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total number of crashes and factors associated with fatality or serious injury. RESULTS: From 1964 to 1995, a total of 495 hot-air balloon crashes involving 1533 persons were reported and included 92 fatalities and 384 serious injuries. Pilot error or incapacitation was determined subjectively by crash investigators to contribute to 85.1% of the crashes. In univariate analysis, collision with the ground was the most significant predictor of a fatality or serious injury (P < .001), and power-line contact was the most significant predictor of fatality (P < .001). In multiple logistic regression, only the type of object struck by a balloon predicted a fatal crash or a fatality or serious injury. CONCLUSIONS: Although a number of factors likely contribute to increased severity of hot-air balloon crashes, the object struck during a crash is most predictive of fatality or serious injury. Preventive efforts are needed to decrease future injuries.
LA - SN - 0098-7484 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -