What is the primary cause of passenger fatalities during aircraft accidents as stated in safety studies?

The primary cause of passenger fatalities during aircraft accidents is impacts. This finding is well-supported by safety studies that analyze the circumstances surrounding aircraft crashes. Impact-related fatalities often occur due to the forces exerted during collisions with the ground or other objects, which can lead to severe injuries or death for passengers even in well-structured aircraft.

It is important to acknowledge that while fire-related injuries, medical emergencies, and evacuation complications can contribute to passenger fatalities in some accidents, the data consistently show that the initial impact of the aircraft during a crash is the leading factor in fatalities. This underscores the critical importance of aircraft design, safety protocols, and crashworthiness in minimizing the effects of impacts, thereby enhancing passenger survival rates.