U.S. Statement of Demonstrated Ability Aeromedical Waivers

INTRODUCTION: The Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) is a type of U.S. aeromedical waiver used for disqualifying conditions that are not expected to change. About 21,000 (2%) U.S. pilots possess a SODA waiver.METHODS: We matched all pilot medical exams from the FAA's medical certification database from 2002 through 2011 to their respective accidents in the National Transportation Safety Board accident database. The association of SODA waivers and SODA conditions with the odds of an accident were explored using logistic regression techniques.RESULTS: For 3^rd class flight exams, the presence of a SODA waiver was not associated with the odds of an accident. For the 1^st and 2^nd class exams, the accident odds ratio (OR = 1.45) was statistically significant. Crop dusting operations accounted for 17 of the 40 accidents where SODAs were present and returned a significant accident OR = 1.68. SODAs were not associated with the odds of accidents during other commercial operations. Six SODA conditions (amputation, internal eye, external eye, visual fields, bone and joint, and miscellaneous) were also found to have elevated ORs but were based on very small accident counts. NTSB investigators and the authors reviewed all accidents and none thought the SODA condition to be contributory.DISCUSSION: SODA waivers were not associated with increased accident odds except for crop dusting operations. Six specific SODA conditions also had elevated odds of an accident, but there was no evidence they contributed to the accidents. Overall, U.S. pilots with SODA waivers appear to have a satisfactory safety record.Mills WD, Davis JT.