Vertebral fracture in a pilot during centrifuge training: finding of osteopenia.

We report on a case of an F-16 pilot who suffered a compression fracture of the L5 vertebral body during centrifuge training. The pilot sustained the injury during a rapid onset to 6 G run. He was subsequently diagnosed to have osteopenia with a bone mineral density T-score of -1.95. This report discusses the medical and operational management of the pilot with this rare condition. The pilot has since returned to flying duties, albeit in a transportplatform.