We know what we’re supposed to do in the event of an emergency landing – brace for impact by putting our head down and placing our hands over our head.

Thankfully, new aircraft seats must be able to withstand stresses of up to 16 times the forces of gravity (known as 16g seats), representing a far more stringent requirement than the 9g seats of old (which are still in place on some aged aircraft).

This video, provided courtesy of TIMCO Aerosystems, shows a triangular 16g deceleration test with an overall speed change of 44 ft/sec. Luckily for the dummies, they are not encumbered by seat backs in front of them, ahem.

The purpose of this test was to determine the structural performance of the seat.

I think the music is somewhat unnecessary…but there you go.