Spinal fractures are most common injury in light-aircraft crashes

Spinal injuries are the most common injury in light-aircraft accidents, followed by soft tissue injuries and rib fractures, a new study shows.

The study was conducted over nine years at a level one trauma unit in Johannesburg and involved 52 people – just eight of whom were women – admitted to the unit after crashing in a small plane.  

The study covered only crashes involving privately owned light aircraft and helicopters that operate in the general aviation sector. No commercial operators were involved...