Ejection experience in Serbian air force, 1990-2010
Background/Aim. Ejection injuries are the problem for air forces. The present risk for injuries is still too high, approximately 30-50%. This study was an effort to determine factors responsible for and contributing to injuries in the Serbian Air Force (SAF) in the last two decades. Methods...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, Belgrade
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Vojnosanitetski Pregled |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2014/0042-84501300044P.pdf |
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| Summary: | Background/Aim. Ejection injuries are the problem for air forces. The present
risk for injuries is still too high, approximately 30-50%. This study was an
effort to determine factors responsible for and contributing to injuries in
the Serbian Air Force (SAF) in the last two decades. Methods. All ejection
cases in the SAF between 1990 and 2010 were analyzed. The collected data
were: aircraft type, ejection seat generation, pilots ´ age and experience,
causes of ejection, aeronautical parameters, the condition of aircraft
control and types of injuries. For ease of comparison the U.S. Air Force
Safety Regulation was used to define of major injuries: hospitalization for 5
days or more, loss of consciousness for over 5 min, bone fracture, joint
dislocation, injury to any internal organ, any third-degree burn, or
second-degree burn over 5% of the body surface area. Results. There were 52
ejections (51 pilots and 1 mechanic) on 44 airplanes. The ejected persons
were from 22 to 46 years, average 32 years. Major injuries were present in
25.49% cases. Of all the ejected pilots 9.61% had fractures of thoracic
spine, 11.53% fractures of legs, 3.48% fractures of arms. Of all major
injuries, fractures of thoracic spine were 38.46%. None of the pilots had
experienced ejection previously. Conclusion. Our results suggest to
obligatory take preventive measures: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
must be included in the standard pilot selection procedure and procedure
after ejection. Physical conditioning of pilots has to be improved. Training
on ejection trainer has to be accomplished, too. |
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| ISSN: | 0042-8450 |