PHYSICAL INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING EJECTION IN THE POLISH AIR FORCE BETWEEN 1951 AND 2025

Introduction: Ejection is the last resort for saving the lives of an aircraft crew in an emergency. The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of ejection incidents in the Polish Air Force between 1951 and 2025, with a particular focus on the effectiveness of the procedure and the physical injuries sustained by pilots. Methods: The analysis included documentation from the Air Accident Investigation Commission, aeromedical records, operational data, and, where available, information from hospital records and post-ejection interviews. The evaluation covered the ejection outcome, the type of aircraft and ejection seat, the altitude and speed at the time of the incident, the location and severity of injuries, the role of human and technical factors, and the aircraft’s continued airworthiness. Results: A total of 281 ejections were recorded from 255 aircraft, including 177 from subsonic aircraft and 104 from supersonic aircraft. 210 pilots survived, while 71 died. Of the survivors, 44 were uninjured, 40 sustained minor injuries, and 126 sustained serious injuries. Spinal injuries were the most common; 262 vertebral fractures were documented, most frequently involving L-5, S-1, C-5, and Th-8. The highest number of serious injuries and deaths was associated with the KK-1 and KK-2 seats, and the highest fatality rate was linked to ejection at altitudes below 150 meters. Conclusions: Ejecting effectively saves lives, but it carries a high risk of serious injury, especially to the spine. The results indicate a need to modernize rescue systems, train decision-making thresholds, and establish standardized diagnostic and rehabilitation procedures following ejection.