Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Monday, October 19, 2009

Civilian Aviation Fatalities Involving Pilot Ethanol and a Previous Record of Substance Abuse
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Volume 80, Number 10, October 2009 , pp. 841-844(4)

Pilots are subject to the same temptations as the general population, but due to the demands of flying, the use of ethanol or other impairing substances are more likely to have severe consequences. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires pilots to report all adverse legal actions involving their use of ethanol and/or other drugs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate fatal civil aviation accidents between the years 2000 and 2007 in which ethanol was present in the pilot and the pilot had a record of previous drug and/or alcohol offenses.

These results confirm earlier reports that pilots with previous alcohol and/or drug offenses are more likely than others to engage in repeated substance abuse in association with flying with resultant fatal accidents.

These findings support the NTSB's recommendation that the FAA implement more thorough verification of alcohol and drug offenses as a means of identifying pilots at increased risk of causing accidents.


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