Retrospective Review of Spinal Injuries in U.S. Army Rotary-wing Mishaps: January 1990-December 2014

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Retrospective Review of Spinal Injuries in U.S. Army Rotary-wing Mishaps: January 1990-December 2014

F. T. Brozoski / V. C. Chancey / J. R. Licina / B. J. McEntire

A retrospective review of spinal injuries in U.S. Army rotary-wing mishaps occurring between 1990 and 2014 was conducted. This report describes the spinal injury trends experienced by seated occupants in mishaps during this study period. Data from U.S. Army Class A and B, rotary-wing, in-flight mishaps between 1990 and 2014 were obtained from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Centeraviation mishap database. Included in the analysis were data from survivable, partially survivable, and non-survivable mishap aircraft that included spinal injuries sustained by seated occupants. A total of 739 Class A and B mishaps occurred involving 765 rotary-wing aircraft and 3117 occupants. Out of 3117 occupants, 1147 were seated when the mishap occurred; 460 of these occupants sustained atotal of 547 spinal injuries. Lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae experienced the largest frequencies of injury. The frequency and location of spinal injuries found in this study were consistent with historical data on spinal injuries sustained in similar mishaps between 1979 and 1985.