Retrospective cohort analysis of class A mishaps in aviators evaluated at USAFSAM: 1957-1984

A retrospective analysis of Class A mishaps in all United States Air Force (USAF), Air National Guard (ANG), and Air Force Reserve (AFR) pilots (n = 5088) evaluated at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) from 1957-84 was conducted to test whether the cohort career mishap experience differed significantly from the general USAF, AFR, and ANG pilot population. The analysis involved merging the USAFSAM Cover Sheet computer file with the Aircraft Accident Data System and Flight Record Data System maintained at the Air Force Inspection and Safety Center, Norton AFB, CA. A life table analysis compared observed cohort mishap accumulation over career flight hours with theoretical curves derived from USAF wide aircraft year-specific Class A mishap rates. The cohort experienced significantly fewer (p less than 0.005) mishaps over career flight hours in all major aircraft categories except trainers, in which the cohort experienced significantly more mishaps (p = 0.013). Areas for further analyses based on these preliminary findings are discussed.