What is an important safety feature of aircraft harnesses?

The primary safety feature of aircraft harnesses is that they prevent submarining, which is a critical concern in aviation safety during turbulence or a crash landing. Submarining occurs when a passenger slides under the lap belt of the harness system, which can lead to severe injuries, including spinal injuries and ejection from the seat.

Properly designed aircraft harness systems include features such as adjustable lap belts and shoulder restraints that maintain the occupant's position within the seat, securing them and minimizing the risk of submarining. This is particularly important in the event of sudden deceleration or impact, where an unsecured passenger is at a much greater risk of injury.

While other safety aspects such as head restraint, minimizing G-force impact, and preventing fire hazards are important considerations in the overall safety design of aircraft, the prevention of submarining specifically addresses major injury risks associated with harness systems and is the most relevant feature pertaining to occupant safety during flight.