Aircraft crashes are the second leading cause of occupa-tional deaths in Alaska; during the 1990s, a total of 108 fatal aviation crashes resulted in 155 occupational fatalities (1). To update data and identify risk factors for occupational death from aircraft crashes, CDC reviewed data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Alaska Occupational Injury Surveillance System. During 20002010, a total of 90 occupational fatalities occurred as a result of 54 crashes, an average of five fatal aircraft crashes and eight fatalities per year. Among those crashes, 21 (39%) were associated with intended takeoffs or landings at landing sites not registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Fifteen crashes (28%) were associated with weather, including poor visibility, wind, and turbulence. In addition, 11 crashes (20%) resulted from pilots loss of aircraft control; nine (17%) from pilots failure to maintain clearance from terrain, water, or objects; and seven (13%) from engine, structure, or com-ponent failure. To reduce occupational fatalities resulting from aircraft crashes in the state, safety interventions should focus on providing weather and other flight information to increase pilots situational awareness, maintaining pilot proficiency and decision-making abilities, and expanding the infrastructure used by pilots to fly by instruments. CDC reviewed reports from its Alaska Occupational Injury Surveillance System (AOISS) and information from the NTSB accident database* to identify risk factors for occupational deaths. A case was defined as a fatal occupational traumatic injury in an aircraft crash during 2000-2010 that was reported in Alaska and investigated by NTSB. AOISS contains information on all fatal occupational traumatic injuries that occur in Alaska. Only cases that meet the criteria for an occupational fatality using established guidelines for injury at work are included (2). NTSB is mandated by Congress to investigate civilian transportation incidents and crashes, determine prob-able causes, and issue safety recommendations.


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    Title :

    Occupational Aviation Fatalities Alaska, 2000-2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Volume 60, No.25, July 1, 2011


    Publication date :

    2011


    Size :

    32 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English