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What happens when a jetliner crashes?

Cindy Bir, a professor of biomedical engineering at Wayne State University, waits to board crash dummies wired with sensors onto a 727. The jet was intentionally crash-landed by Discovery Channel program Curiosity to measure what happens to people and equipment in the crash of a big commercial jet.
Cindy Bir, a professor of biomedical engineering at Wayne State University, waits to board crash dummies wired with sensors onto a 727. The jet was intentionally crash-landed by Discovery Channel program Curiosity to measure what happens to people and equipment in the crash of a big commercial jet.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
Scientists in biomedical engineering, crash forces and aeronautics planted sensors and 15 test dummies throughout the plane. Thirty-eight cameras recorded the crash.
Scientists in biomedical engineering, crash forces and aeronautics planted sensors and 15 test dummies throughout the plane. Thirty-eight cameras recorded the crash.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
The plane took off from Mexicali airport in Mexico with six people aboard, who later parachuted out. The flight plan resembled a fish hook at speeds up to 184 mph and 6,000 feet in altitude.
The plane took off from Mexicali airport in Mexico with six people aboard, who later parachuted out. The flight plan resembled a fish hook at speeds up to 184 mph and 6,000 feet in altitude.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
Members of the Channel 4 (U.K.), Discovery Channel, Dragonfly Productions and various invited guests watch as the plane makes its final approach before crashing.
Members of the Channel 4 (U.K.), Discovery Channel, Dragonfly Productions and various invited guests watch as the plane makes its final approach before crashing.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
Members of the Mexican military watch as the plane crashes into the desert last spring.
Members of the Mexican military watch as the plane crashes into the desert last spring.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
The plane was going 140 mph at impact, which is close to regular landing speed, but at a faster descent than normal.
The plane was going 140 mph at impact, which is close to regular landing speed, but at a faster descent than normal.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
The front part of the plane was destroyed. Seat 7A catapulted 500 feet from the plane.
The front part of the plane was destroyed. Seat 7A catapulted 500 feet from the plane.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
Scientists found that bracing — having a seated passenger lean his head over his knees and hold his hands behind his head — is important to prevent lower-back injury during a collision and to protect from flying debris.
Scientists found that bracing — having a seated passenger lean his head over his knees and hold his hands behind his head — is important to prevent lower-back injury during a collision and to protect from flying debris.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
Scientists were surprised by the lower-back strains put on the crash dummies. The amount of dust that got into the cabin could also prompt new ways to make sure passengers could find an exit in the chaos after a crash.
Scientists were surprised by the lower-back strains put on the crash dummies. The amount of dust that got into the cabin could also prompt new ways to make sure passengers could find an exit in the chaos after a crash.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
The view out one window shows the right landing gear hurtling past at 140 mph, after the tire left a black scar on the fuselage.
The view out one window shows the right landing gear hurtling past at 140 mph, after the tire left a black scar on the fuselage.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
“The chances are that if you’re in a crash, you will survive,” says Tom Barth, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board who studied the crash’s impact on occupants of the plane.
“The chances are that if you’re in a crash, you will survive,” says Tom Barth, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board who studied the crash’s impact on occupants of the plane.
Vance Jacobs, Discovery Channel
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