Spinal injury in a U.S. Army light observation helicopter

All accident reports involving U.S. Army OH-58 series helicopters were analyzed to determine vertical and horizontal velocity change at impact and the relationship of this kinematic data to the production of spinal injury. This analysis determined that spinal injury is related primarily to vertical velocity change at impact and is relatively independent of horizontal velocity change. The dramatic increase in the rate of spinal injury occurring just above the design sink speed of the aircraft landing gear (3.7 m/s) suggests that the fuselage and seat provide little additional impact attenuation capability above that of the gear alone. It is concluded that if this aircraft were modified to provide protection to the occupants for impacts up to 9.1 m/s (30 ft/s), approximately 80% of all spinal injury incurred in survivable accidents could be substantially mitigated. The incorporation of energy absorbing seats is recommended.