Viral simulation shows how the airplane brace position can reduce injuries in a crash

A widely viewed simulation posted by influencer Zack D. Films argues that the commonly imagined “curl into a ball” response to an oncoming aircraft impact is wrong and that a forward-leaning brace can reduce the risk of serious injury.

The animated public-safety video, described by the creator as a PSA and watched more than 43 million times, shows a side-by-side comparison of two passengers during a high-impact crash. Zack D. tells viewers that, contrary to popular belief, passengers should not “brace by curling into a ball” but should instead “assume the brace position by leaning forward and covering your head.” He says the posture “helps protect your vital organs and reduces the risk of head and neck injuries” and “minimize[s] the impact force on your spine, increasing your chances of survival during high-impact situations.”

The clip mixes graphic simulated impacts with explanatory animation to illustrate how forces travel through the body on sudden deceleration. In the video, the curled “ball” posture concentrates force on the torso and allows greater motion of the head and neck, increasing the potential for severe spinal and head injuries. The forward-leaning brace, by contrast, reduces the distance the head can travel and places the upper body in a configuration that the creator says disperses and reduces peak forces to vulnerable regions.

Zack D., whose channel has more than 23 million subscribers and often features recreations or analyses of unusual accidents, framed the video as a flier drill intended to inform rather than alarm. The footage prompted extensive viewer reaction and debate after it went viral.

Aviation authorities and airlines routinely instruct passengers on brace procedures tailored to seating position, aircraft configuration and emergency scenarios. Official guidance varies by carrier and regulator, but training materials and preflight demonstrations typically emphasize limiting head movement, protecting the head with arms, and positioning the body to reduce impact forces. The video echoes that general goal while illustrating one common recommended posture.

Experts in biomechanics and aviation safety say the effectiveness of any single brace position depends on numerous factors, including the direction and magnitude of impact forces, seat construction, restraint use and the presence of interior hazards such as unsecured objects. Aircraft certification standards and crashworthiness research focus on mitigating injuries by improving seat design, restraints and cabin interiors; passenger positioning is one of several elements that can influence survivability in high-energy events.

The simulation’s visuals and blunt framing prompted some viewers to call the clip frightening, while others praised it as practical guidance. The creator closed the video by urging viewers to learn the appropriate brace position for their seat and to heed airline instructions during preflight briefings.

The video underscores a persistent public interest in how simple actions might affect survival in rare but high-consequence aviation accidents. Regulators and carriers continue to emphasize training, aircraft design and operational safety measures as primary ways to reduce crash risk and injury severity, with passenger behavior as a complementary factor in an overall safety system.