This paper attempts to relate aircraft accident investigation and aeromedical research efforts for the purpose of clarifying research needs. Such efforts ultimately can lead to a reduction in lightplane accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Recent statistical studies of lightplane crash injuries are summarized, and contributions that human biologists, physical anthropologists, and design engineers can make toward reducing or preventing injury in future crashes are discussed. Programs of biomedical and human engineering research as they relate to lightplane safety are described. Contributions that physicians can make to this program are outlined. (Author).