"Neil Gould" wrote

I think this is the main factor that differentiates auto and aviation
fatalities. If you only consider accidents above 60 mph, I suspect that
automobiles will look a lot worse compared to aircraft, given that many
aircraft accidents at that speed, such as gear-up landings result in no
serious injuries.

I disagree, because of the type of accidents we are comparing.

Fatal car accidents usually are near head-on (close to 90 degree), or
another car hits the door, at near head-on in his direction of travel.
Airplanes that hit 90 degrees, or close to it are pretty much *always*
fatal, where sometimes (many times) car head-ons have people walking away
from it.

Once again, it comes down to the degree of impact. The pilot that flies it
into the ground while still in control, will hit the ground at a shallow
angle, and give it's occupants a chance of living. An auto impact at a
shallow impact angle will usually cause no injuries, and the car will need a
fender and bumper and some paint.

Cars just don't have to be light. They just build them strong. Few planes
are even tested for crush zones, like cars are. Cars win, IMHO.
--
Jim in NC