Light aircraft crash--a case analysis of injuries.

BACKGROUND

As air travel increases and the number of commercial and non-commercial flights rises, so does the number of aircraft accidents. The improved safety standards of the aviation industry result in a growing number of survivors of aircraft crashes, but there are no management guidelines for the treatment of these survivors.

OBJECTIVES

To present our experience in treating five survivors of a light aircraft crash that occurred in August 1995 near Jerusalem.

RESULTS

All five survivors sustained vertebral column injuries, which was the only injury in most of the survivors. We discuss the mechanism of injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Investigation of injuries' pattern in survivors of aircraft crash is important for establishing management protocols in trauma centers.