Zwimpfer T J, Gertzbein S G
J Trauma. 1987 Apr;27(4):431-6.
Ultralight aircraft, which originated in 1975 in the U.S. and have been available in Canada since 1980, have enjoyed a tremendous increase in popularity to the point where it is estimated that there are close to 20,000 ultralights in North America today. Two reasons account for their growing popularity: relatively low cost and simplicity, allowing almost any person to enjoy the sport of flying, which was unattainable for most just a few years ago. Unfortunately, inexperienced pilots and relatively new and unproven aircraft have been brought together to create a potentially lethal combination. On average, 60 deaths per year occur in the U.S. due to ultralight crashes, a number that will undoubtedly rise in the future. The U.S. and Canada have very few regulations covering the licensing of pilots or the design and construction of ultralight aircraft. The North American safety record is inferior to that of countries that have implemented stricter, more far-reaching regulations. Stricter pilot certification and enforced regulations governing design and construction of ultralight aircraft would improve the safety record of this sport. Ultralight aircraft crashes and their associated injuries came to our attention recently through the presentation of three cases of isolated fractures of the thoracolumbar spine in such crashes. Spinal fractures due to ultralight crashes have no unique features that separate them from those of other trauma victims. Physicians must, however, have a high index of suspicion for spinal injuries in these victims.
超轻型飞机于1975年起源于美国，自1980年起在加拿大也可获得，其受欢迎程度急剧上升，据估计如今北美有近2万架超轻型飞机。其越来越受欢迎有两个原因：成本相对较低且操作简单，几乎任何人都能享受飞行运动，而就在几年前这对大多数人来说还是遥不可及的。不幸的是，缺乏经验的飞行员与相对较新且未经充分验证的飞机结合在一起，形成了一个潜在的致命组合。在美国，每年平均有60人因超轻型飞机坠毁而死亡，这个数字在未来无疑还会上升。美国和加拿大针对飞行员执照颁发以及超轻型飞机的设计与制造的法规非常少。北美的安全记录不如那些实施了更严格、更具深远影响法规的国家。更严格的飞行员认证以及对超轻型飞机设计和制造的强制监管将改善这项运动的安全记录。最近，通过三例超轻型飞机坠毁导致胸腰椎孤立性骨折的病例展示，超轻型飞机坠毁及其相关损伤引起了我们的关注。超轻型飞机坠毁导致的脊柱骨折与其他创伤受害者的骨折并无独特区别。然而，医生必须对这些受害者的脊柱损伤保持高度警惕。
