In 2012, an extraordinary experiment aimed to answer a life-saving question: where is the safest place to sit on a plane during a crash? A team of scientists, safety experts, and pilots conducted a controlled crash of a Boeing 727 in a remote desert to study survival rates based on seat location. The plane, packed with crash test dummies and scientific instruments, was remotely guided into the crash zone after the human crew parachuted to safety.
The goal was to gather data on how different sections of the aircraft fare in a crash.The findings revealed that passengers seated toward the back of the plane had the highest chances of survival, while those at the front faced the greatest risk. This experiment has contributed to a deeper understanding of aviation safety.
The setup: A controlled plane crash
According to Unilad, the Boeing 727, fully loaded with crash test dummies and scientific instruments, was remotely crashed into a dry lake bed in Mexico after the human crew parachuted to safety. The aircraft took off from Mexico on April 27, 2012, with Captain Jim Bob Slocum at the controls.
Once over the crash site, Slocum ejected safely, and the plane was remotely guided to its crash, hitting the ground at 140 miles per hour (225 kilometres per hour). The crash was meticulously recorded, providing valuable data for analysing survivability based on seat location.
The experiment revealed critical insights:
Front of the plane: Passengers in the first class and up to row seven would have had the least chance of survival. The impact was so severe that dummies in these seats would have suffered fatal injuries.
Middle of the plane: Passengers seated over the wings would likely have sustained serious, but survivable, injuries.
Rear of the plane: Passengers at the back had the highest chances of walking away with minimal or no injuries. Scientists concluded that many at the rear could have survived the crash unharmed.
The brace position: Minimising injuries
The experiment also highlighted the importance of the brace position during a crash. Dummies in the brace position experienced less stress on their spines and fewer serious injuries compared to those seated upright. Cindy Bir, a biomedical engineering professor, emphasised that the brace position remains the best way to prevent injuries, though it may increase pressure on the legs.
What is a brace position?
The brace position is a safety posture recommended for passengers to adopt during an aircraft emergency, particularly in the event of a crash landing. This position is designed to minimise injury by protecting the body and stabilising the head and neck. Here’s how to assume the brace position:
- Sit up straight: Sit with your back pressed against the seat and your feet flat on the floor.
- Bend forward: Lean forward, placing your head against your knees or as close as possible to your legs. This helps to protect the head and neck during impact.
- Arms: Cross your arms over your head, or grasp your knees, depending on the specific instructions from the airline. This can help shield your head and face from flying debris.
- Feet position: Ensure your feet are flat on the floor to help maintain stability.
Challenges and ethical concerns
The team initially faced challenges securing permission for the crash, eventually gaining approval to use a desert site in Mexico. Despite the experiment’s success, critics raised concerns about the ethics of crashing a fully functional plane. Nonetheless, the data gathered helped advance aviation safety.
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