Factors associated with fatalities and injuries from hot-air balloon crashes

Clayton T Cowl; Michael P Jones; Charles F Lynch; Nancy L Sprince; Craig Zwerling; Lawrence J Fuortes

doi:10.1001/jama.279.13.1011

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Factors associated with fatalities and injuries from hot-air balloon crashes

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Factors associated with fatalities and injuries from hot-air balloon crashes

Clayton T Cowl, Michael P Jones, Charles F Lynch, Nancy L Sprince, Craig Zwerling and Lawrence J Fuortes

JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association, Vol.279(13), pp.1011-1014

04/01/1998

DOI: 10.1001/jama.279.13.1011

PMID: 9533500

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Abstract

Despite the increased popularity of hot-air balloon flight, data on injuries and fatalities associated with hot-air balloon crashes are limited. To determine factors associated with injury and death in hot-air balloon crashes. Retrospective review of data collected from reports and investigations by the Civil Aeronautics Board and the National Transportation Safety Board. Individuals involved in US hot-air balloon crashes from 1964 to 1995. Total number of crashes and factors associated with fatality or serious injury. 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. 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.

United States - epidemiology

Aircraft - statistics & numerical data

Accidents, Aviation - statistics & numerical data

Recreation

Accidents, Aviation - mortality

Humans

Risk Factors

Logistic Models

Retrospective Studies

Wounds and Injuries - epidemiology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Factors associated with fatalities and injuries from hot-air balloon crashes
Creators: Clayton T Cowl - Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, USA
Michael P Jones
Charles F Lynch
Nancy L Sprince
Craig Zwerling
Lawrence J Fuortes
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association, Vol.279(13), pp.1011-1014
DOI: 10.1001/jama.279.13.1011
PMID: 9533500
NLM abbreviation: JAMA
ISSN: 0098-7484
eISSN: 1538-3598
Publisher: United States
Grant note: T01/CCT710440 / CIT NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 04/01/1998
Academic Unit: Statistics and Actuarial Science; Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Public Policy Center (Archive); Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9983985822502771

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