FAA 1st class Medical – Do I need to self report after surgery from ER Trauma Incident?
October 12, 2008
I am an FAA Commercial Pilot and CFII, recently training Private and Instrument students. I was recently (1 month+ ago now) using a router (the power tool), and was injured. It cut into my right forearm. I went to the ER, and was in the hospital a few days.
The doctor performed a “radial forearm flap” which is essentially a skin graft from another part of my arm. He had also intended to fix my Ulnar nerve, but said he discovered it was still intact. I have “bruising” to this nerve which prevents full (but near full) extension of my ring and pinky fingers on my right hand. After the surgery I was on the medication Percocet, but have been off it for a month.
Presently I am going to a physical therapist, while waiting for my nerves to heal. She has made me a splint to wear at night while my nerves are healing, which extends my fingers fully to prevent the tendons from shortening. This way I can extend (make them straight) fully once my nerve has healed.
I am driving a car on the interstate, have used a router again, and have functional control of my hand. It could be months before my nerve heals itself fully, but I am confident I would be able competently pilot / instruct in the plane.
Since the incident I have self grounded myself. Do I need to report this to an AME or the FAA, or can I resume flight duties once I believe I am ready. Are there any implications in going back to flight duty, prior to completing physical therapy?
Thanks so much! I never thought anything like this would happen to me, and guess I am not well versed in aviation medical topics: need to study up. They don’t seem to provide a lot of detail on reporting medical stuff in the FAR / AIM.
Just wanted to add some clarification; some people didn't quite understand my exact question. I know I need to report it on my next medical application. I would like to know if I have an obligation to go see my AME before my medical runs out, if I believe I am still fit for flight duty.
resume flight duties once your doc says it is okay (A visit to your AME would be prudent). To report the hospital stay, at your next medical renewal,.on the application for an Airman's medical certificate.(Form 8500-8) under History.list your injury and treatment with results Subsequent visits, simply put in "previously reported, no changes" (unless there are any)
Edit: (a) 1&2 cover this
Sec. 61.53 Prohibition on operations during medical deficiency.
(a) Operations that require a medical certificate. Except as
provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, a person who holds a
current medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter shall
not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required
pilot flight crewmember, while that person:
(1) Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would
make the person unable to meet the requirements for the medical
certificate necessary for the pilot operation; or
(2) Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical
condition that results in the person being unable to meet the
requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot
operation.
(b) Operations that do not require a medical certificate. For
operations provided for in Sec. 61.23(b) of this part, a person shall
not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required
pilot flight crewmember, while that person knows or has reason to know
of any medical condition that would make the person unable to operate
the aircraft in a safe manner.
(c) Operations requiring a medical certificate or a U.S. driver's
license. For operations provided for in Sec. 61.23(c), a person must
meet the provisions of–
(1) Paragraph (a) of this section if that person holds a valid
medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter and does not
hold a current and valid U.S. driver's license.
(2) Paragraph (b) of this section if that person holds a current and
valid U.S. driver's license.
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5 Responses to “FAA 1st class Medical – Do I need to self report after surgery from ER Trauma Incident?”
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resume flight duties once your doc says it is okay (A visit to your AME would be prudent). To report the hospital stay, at your next medical renewal,.on the application for an Airman's medical certificate.(Form 8500-8) under History.list your injury and treatment with results Subsequent visits, simply put in "previously reported, no changes" (unless there are any)
Edit: (a) 1&2 cover this
Sec. 61.53 Prohibition on operations during medical deficiency.
(a) Operations that require a medical certificate. Except as
provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, a person who holds a
current medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter shall
not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required
pilot flight crewmember, while that person:
(1) Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would
make the person unable to meet the requirements for the medical
certificate necessary for the pilot operation; or
(2) Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical
condition that results in the person being unable to meet the
requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot
operation.
(b) Operations that do not require a medical certificate. For
operations provided for in Sec. 61.23(b) of this part, a person shall
not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required
pilot flight crewmember, while that person knows or has reason to know
of any medical condition that would make the person unable to operate
the aircraft in a safe manner.
(c) Operations requiring a medical certificate or a U.S. driver's
license. For operations provided for in Sec. 61.23(c), a person must
meet the provisions of–
(1) Paragraph (a) of this section if that person holds a valid
medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter and does not
hold a current and valid U.S. driver's license.
(2) Paragraph (b) of this section if that person holds a current and
valid U.S. driver's license.
References :
Any serious injuries, medical procedures or surgeries MUST be reported at your next physical. This sounds like something that should be discussed with your AME before you start flying again.
References :
You should always be truthful about everything at your medicals. So, yes, I would report it. The doctor will ask you about it. Tell him the truth. It’s much better to be truthful and be grounded for a while then to not report it and have the faa find out that you lied on a medical form.
On subsequent medicals, still report that you’ve been in a hospital before (whatever that checkbox is), but you say “previously reported, no change”. I do this every time because I had eye surgery as a kid. They usually make a comment about it or ask a question. I tell them the truth and they always say “okay”.
References :
former airline pilot
Yes you must report this. You *may* (not probable but possible) need to demonstrate your abilities to a representative of the FAA in order to get your medical back. This would consist of nothing more than flying next to them and showing them that your injury does not interfere with your duties as a pilot. I would seriously doubt that this would be the case, but you never know.
After this, you only need to write “None/Previously Reported” on your medical application forms.
References :
Get with your AME before you return to flight status. If he’s any good at all (and not all AMEs are created equal) he can let you know if you’re good to go or not. Depending upon what’s been done to you he may not have to give you a flight physical.
On the other hand, if there has been extensive work done, you might have to supply some paperwork on the procedure. Here again, if he’s any good at all, he can point you in the right direction and tell you exactly what he needs in order to return you to flying. That may require a full physical.
Either way, you should be talking with your AME and coordinating with him on this.
References :