Icarus's syndrome: New hazards in flight

Abstract

The British Hang Gliding Association accident report for 1975 reported two deaths. The remaining cases were predominantly limb fractures. The major causes of the injuries were inexperience, high wind speed, turbulence, and stalling. It is contended that the sport is no more risky than is rock climbing, motor-bike racing, skiing, or potholing, yet against these undoubtedly dangerous sports no threat of prohibition exists. The current accident rate in hang gliding could be reduced dramatically by the provision of proper courses of instruction. © 1977, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.