Vaughn wrote:

"Kevin Horton" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 21 May 2004 15:41:04 -0500, frank wrote:
I wonder if the air bag would push forward on the yoke if it fired in
flight? If this happened at low altitude, or a high enough airspeed,
could it cause an accident? If so, could installing one of these
air bags actually reduce the level of safety? Of is the perception of
safety more important than actual safety?

There are many "safety" devices, including airbags, safety belts, helmets
etc. that can occasionally backfire in a way to cause a death that might
otherwise not happen. The important thing is that after all is said and done,
the pile of people killed by the device must be much smaller than the pile of
people that would otherwise be dead without the device.

Vaughn

Perhaps less obvious, but just as important is how HARD
that airbag hits you when it goes off.

The TV always shows it in slow motion - so you can see it happening.
In reality, that sucker is gonna slap you silly, if not completely out.

Richard