The Evolution of Seatbelts on Planes

After all, seatbelts put the "S" in SAFETY for the preflight passenger briefing. In the early days of aviation, many pilots died when ejected from their planes or from impact against the cabin interior. 

It's hard to believe that the lowly seatbelt---a routine checklist item for every takeoff and landing---was once the subject of tremendous controversy. How much do you really know about this life-saving device?

Because we take for granted that they will always be there, seatbelts are often overlooked, even neglected. Taking the extra time to inspect periodically and use your seatbelts and harnesses correctly can protect you from serious injury in turbulence or make the difference between life and death in an emergency. 

Don't forget to properly brief your passengers about the correct operation of seatbelts, as well as when they must wear them, on every flight. You never know when you are going to need them. As Bette Davis famously warned in the 1950 film All About Eve: "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night." 

First pilot to wear a seatbelt: Lt. Benjamin Foulois, U.S. Signal Corps

When: 1910

Motivation: Survived one crash and almost thrown from the plane on another flight

First aircraft to have a seatbelt installed: Wright Model A Military Flyer, Signal Corps No. 1

First seatbelt material: 4-foot-long leather cinch acquired from the cavalry 

Requirement for seatbelt use and passenger briefing: 14 CFR 91.107

When to wear: Passengers---taxi, takeoff, landing

When to wear: Pilots---whenever at crewmember stations

Exceptions: 

Parachutists on floor berth

Children under age 2 seated on adult's lap

Free balloon gondolas

Airships (type certificated before Nov. 2, 1987)

Buckle types: Lift lever, rotary, push button

Seatbelt webbing materials: Nylon or polyester 

Types: Two-point (lap belt), three-point, four-point and five-point harnesses

Harness straps: Lap belt, shoulder belt, crotch belt

Inertia reel: Ratchet gear and centrifugal clutch lock belt when force applied

Hugh DeHaven, aviation safety pioneer: Survived midair collision in 1917; inventor of three-point safety belt

1951: Glenn Curtiss advocates for seatbelts to prevent ejection

1920: Seatbelts appear in civilian aircraft

1929: Optional use at airlines

1940 and 1950s: Improved safety or increased danger debate

1972: Required use by FAR

1986: Shoulder harnesses required in all new small aircraft

Controversial accident: British European Airways, Paris to London 

Date: Oct. 31, 1950

Location: London Heathrow Airport

Aircraft type: Vickers VC-1 

Scenario: Overshot landing in bad weather

Fatalities: 28

Investigation: Celebrity medical examiner Dr. Donald Teare published report that seatbelts caused fatal injuries

Vindication: Dr. Eugene DuBois, on behalf of Crash Institute Research program, debunked Teare's flawed conclusions, vindicating seatbelt safety

Notable accident: Aloha Airlines 243

Date: April 28, 1988

Aircraft: Boeing 737-297

Damage: Top section of fuselage torn off

Survivors: Passengers buckled in their seats 

Sole fatality: Flight attendant C.B. Lansing, who was standing in the aisle

Notable death: Harriet Quimby (first U.S. female pilot and first woman to fly across the English Channel) died in 1912 when she was thrown from her aircraft during an airshow

Reduction of major injuries in general aviation accidents: 88%

Reduction of fatalities in GA accidents: 20%

Priority checklist item: Preflight, landing and emergency

Required inspection: Annual and 100-hour 

Do you want to read more Plane Facts columns? Check out "How Far Can Airplanes Fly?" here.