SHAH ALAM – With recent air disasters dominating headlines, such as South Korea’s deadliest crash in decades that claimed 179 lives, many are reminded of the perilous nature of air travel.
However, one lesser-known story stands out for its role in enhancing our understanding of plane crash survivability, a daring scientific experiment conducted in 2012 involving the deliberate crash of a Boeing 727 in the Mexican desert.
This groundbreaking project, filmed in the Curiosity: Plane Crash documentary was a collaborative effort by Discovery Channel, Channel 4 in the United Kingdom (UK), and Germany’s Pro-Sieben.
It marked the first deliberate crash of an aircraft since NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration’s Controlled Impact Demonstration in 1984.
According to online aviation publication SimpleFlying, the documentary crew initially sought approval in 2012 to conduct the experiment in the United States.
However, permission was denied due to the risks associated with the early-stage development of remote flying technology.
This refusal opened the door for Mexico to host the historic experiment, which aimed to help international experts study the crashworthiness of the aircraft’s frame and cabin, as well as the effects of crashes on the human body.
Mexican authorities approved the test with additional safety requirements, including that real pilots fly the plane for part of the experiment, especially over populated areas.
The experiment unfolds
According to various sources, on April 27, 2012, the Boeing 727 took off with a crew of two pilots, an engineer and a cabin filled with scientific equipment, crash test dummies and cameras to record the event.
The human crew, including Captain Jim Bob Slocum, parachuted to safety just minutes before impact as the plane flew over populated areas.
Once in position over the Sonoran Desert in Baja California, Slocum ejected and Navy veteran Chip Shanle, flying in a chase plane, remotely controlled the aircraft as it crashed into the ground at 140 mph (225 km/h).
Inside the aircraft, mannequins equipped with sensors collected data on the forces exerted on the body and potential injuries in different seating positions.
The test revealed that passengers seated at the rear of the plane had the best chance of survival, while those in the front, especially in first class and up to row seven, were at the highest risk of fatal injuries.
Survival insights
Surviving a plane crash may seem improbable, but a groundbreaking 2012 study suggests otherwise.
The experiment revealed that passengers' seating positions significantly impacted their chances of survival.
Those seated at the front, including the pilots, faced the highest fatality risk, while passengers near the wings sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Remarkably, individuals in the tail section often escaped with minor injuries or were unharmed.
The study highlighted the importance of safety measures during crashes. Passengers who adopted the brace position had fewer spinal and head injuries, though they experienced a higher likelihood of leg fractures.
Proper use of seat belts and adherence to emergency protocols, such as leaning forward and shielding the head, greatly reduced the severity of injuries.
Additionally, the experiment pointed out the role of aircraft energy dissipation systems, which absorbed much of the impact to safeguard passengers.
Video footage from the crash test demonstrated how the aircraft design minimised passenger harm despite severe structural damage.
While the cockpit broke away, the landing gear sheared off and the fuselage crumpled, the plane absorbed the impact effectively.
Data showed that most passengers, particularly those seated in the rear, would have survived and even been able to walk away.
This landmark initiative has had a profound impact on aviation safety, influencing aircraft design, emergency protocols and air safety standards globally.
The crash wreckage, moved to a site near Mexicali, Mexico, remained a testament to this pivotal moment in aviation science.
Central to the experiment was a retired Boeing 727-200, with a storied 35-year history.
Initially operated by Singapore Airlines in 1977, the plane later served Alaska Airlines from 1982 to 1993 before being used as a charter jet.
Owned by the Discovery Channel at the time of the study, the aircraft was intentionally crashed to gather unprecedented real-world data, setting it apart from the simulation-based models typically used in such research.
