The crash of an Air India passenger plane has heightened fears of air travel, amid a series of recent aviation accidents that have shaken the world.
But beyond the headlines, a frightening question remains unanswered: What happens to the human body when a plane crashes?
Amid these concerns, British air accident investigator Tony Cullen has dedicated his career to analyzing how fatalities occur in crashes, seeking to improve survival chances and raise safety standards. He has come up with terrifying, yet enlightening, findings.
The last moments inside the plane: What happens to the body?
When a plane crashes, the most common cause of death is not fire or drowning, as is commonly believed, but the violent physical trauma resulting from the impact.
"Injuries occur when the body hits the collapsing fuselage," Colin writes in a 2004 report. "This impact often results in amputation of limbs, laceration of organs, or complete crushing of the body."
Events accelerate within a few seconds. Upon sudden impact with the ground or water, the body is propelled forward with tremendous force, resulting in:
Chest injuries occur in 80% of victims (fractures of the ribs, sternum, and spine).
In about half of them, the heart ruptures due to pressure between the spine and the sternum.
The aorta (the largest artery in the body) ruptures in 35% of cases.
Brain injuries occur in approximately two-thirds of victims.
Fatal internal bleeding caused by rupture of the liver, spleen, or kidney occurs in more than two-thirds of cases.
Fractures of the legs (74%) and arms (57%).
Leg fractures also indicate that the legs moved forward and struck or became trapped under seats. Head fractures, on the other hand, usually result from collisions with front seats or objects flying from the cabin, such as unsecured luggage in overhead bins.
Although seat belts often save lives, Colin found they can cause internal injuries, particularly when the body rotates over the lap belt, tearing the small intestine. In some cases, the restraints themselves failed to withstand the force of the collision.
Pilots also suffer special injuries, such as shattered hands and feet from being placed on the controls at the moment of impact, or facial injuries from hitting the instrument panel.
Is there a "safe seat" on an airplane?
There is no firm rule, but some studies suggest that seats over the wings—where the center of gravity is located—may provide greater protection in the event of a plane crash, compared to the rear or front seats, which may be hit first.
Colin also found that rearward-facing seat designs, such as those in some first-class cabins, may be safer for the head and neck in a collision.
Colin's research was not just forensic; it aimed to improve survival chances. His studies contributed to the development of seat and cabin designs, enhanced aviation protocols, and supported the use of tools such as the "black box," which records flight data and helps investigators understand what happened in the final moments.
Despite the harsh realities revealed by accidents, aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation. However, understanding what happens during a crash can help improve survival chances, set better standards, and encourage passengers to be more aware and safe.
