Scientists deliberately crashed a Boeing 727 into the desert to conduct important test

Scientists once deliberately crashed a Boeing 727 in the desert near Mexicali, Mexico, for a rare real–life crash simulation.

When testing what happens in a crash, most studies rely on simulations. 

But in 2012,  a group of researchers decided to crash the Boeing 727 on purpose and filmed the whole thing for television. 

And the results were quite interesting.

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Researchers deliberately crashed a Boeing 727 in a rare real-life crash test

To ensure the utmost safety at all times, airlines put their planes through rigorous testing, like the minimum unstick test and the landing performance and brakes testing. 

And in April 2012, a group of researchers from across the globe was able to conduct a super-rare real-life crash test using a former Alaska Airlines Boeing 727 that belonged to the Discovery Channel. 

The team headed to the desert in Mexico and deliberately crashed a Boeing 727, but for a very interesting reason.

The team behind the crash test had originally hoped to conduct it in the United States, but when they couldn’t get permission, went to Mexico instead.

The Boeing 727 was, of course, unmanned at the time of impact, but had been fitted with cameras, crash test dummies, and various other scientific instruments to help better understand what goes on when a plane crashes. 

Incredibly, when the plane set off, it did have three people onboard: two pilots and one engineer. 

All three crew members then exited the plane via parachutes before it hit the ground, with one pilot jumping out just three minutes before impact. 

Once the pilots were safely out of the aircraft, it was remotely controlled by a former American Airlines pilot who smashed the Boeing 727 into the ground at around 140mph, descending at speeds of 1,509 feet per minute.

What did the real-life crash test find?

As you may have expected, the Boeing broke into pieces when it hit the ground at such high speeds. 

The cockpit separated from the rest of the plane immediately upon impact, but didn’t explode. 

The study found that in terms of safety, its best to sit towards the back, of the tail, of a plane. 

Passengers sat at the front of the plane, and the pilots were found to be at the highest risk of death and serious injuries.

Those who sat near the wings were shown to have suffered serious but survivable injuries like broken ankles. 

While the crash test dummies at the back of the plane were more or less intact, meaning human passengers sitting in those seats would have likely escaped the crash without serious injury. 

It also found that the brace position helped prevent spinal injuries and concussions, but did lead to more leg fractures and broken ankles.

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