Fatal Accidents

Accidents are generally regarded as unexpected events that do not fall into any regular pattern. Such is not the case. Analysis of the historical records of accident mortality rates in general, and specifically in industry and transport, shows that they diminish with the passage of time in an ordered fashion, although we are not consciously aware of this fact. In his challenging book Fatal Accidents, the author, in order to explain this paradox, proposes a model of human behaviour in which the reduction in fatal accident rates results from a development of skill, such that the population becomes progressively more adept at avoiding mishaps. Such changes are subconsciously and collectively regulated by the population concerned – for example, by drivers in the case of road transport – and are made possible by advances in science and technology. A similar model is applicable to the reduction of general mortality rates, to economic growth and to population growth. The future cannot be predicted, but at present safety is improving at a satisfactory rate. Examines fatal accident trends in industry and transport Proposes that fatal accident rates diminish over time as a result of skill development Observes the correlation between accidents and specific measures of human activity, such as national productivity

Presents a statistical compilation of general aviation accidents which occurred in the U.S. Report is divided into five sections: All Accidents, Fatal Accidents, Serious Injury Accidents, Property Damage Accidents, and Midair Collision Accidents. Appendix contains worksheets for aircraft safety evaluation. Numerous charts, tables and graphs.

Fatal Civil Aircraft Accidents: Their Medical and Pathological Investigation focuses on relevant literature and discussions of the impact of medical and pathological investigation on fatal flying accidents. The publication first elaborates on public transport accidents, natural disease in the operating crew, impaired efficiency of a pilot due to intoxication, and non-medical cause for an accident. Topics include carbon monoxide intoxication, drugs, natural disease as a contributory cause for an accident, and natural disease as the primary cause for an accident. The book then takes a look at pathological evidence of events prior to an accident, reconstruction of events at impact and immediately after an accident, and natural disease in the pilots. The book ponders on glider accidents, natural disease in glider pilots, reconstruction of events during an accident, survival and safety equipment, and medical standards for glider pilots. The manuscript also examines fatal airliner accident as an example of mass disaster, official bodies and groups concerned with the investigation of an accident, identification of the bodies of the dead, and certification of death and disposal of the deceased. The text is a valuable source of data for researchers interested in the medical and pathological investigation of aircraft accidents.

This report documents the August 23, 1995, version of the Freightliner Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents, 1991-1993, dataset. The report summarizes all the information in the computerized data file. That file contains records for all the medium and heavy trucks that were involved in a fatal accident in the United States during calendar years 1991-1993. (Alaska and Hawaii were included for the first time in 1993.) Trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, primarily pickups, are excluded as nonsample. All the vehicles described are from the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) files for 1991 through 1993. The FARS files are d3eveloped by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).