The FAA’s Role in Addressing Pilot Mental Health

Airline pilots play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of millions of passengers every day. However, recent events have shed light on the neglect of pilots’ mental well-being, which can have serious consequences. Pilots, like the general population, can experience mental health issues and substance misuse. Unfortunately, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its policies may hinder pilots from seeking help when needed, potentially jeopardizing public safety.

With approximately 167,000 commercial airline pilots working for major, small, and regional airlines, it is estimated that between 13,861 to 21,042 pilots suffer from depression, which is 1.5 times higher than the general population. Substance misuse is also prevalent among pilots, with an estimated 8.5% affected, and experts believe the actual rate could be as high as 15.4%. This means that between 13,360 and 25,718 pilots may be struggling with substance misuse.

However, the FAA’s mandated annual medical screening for substance misuse results in referral rates of only about 0.5% of all pilots, which is concerning.

Recent news stories have highlighted the repercussions of failing to address these significant health concerns among pilots. One alarming incident involved an off-duty pilot, who had reported depression and illegal drug use, attempting to interfere with a commercial aircraft’s engines while traveling as a passenger. These incidents raise questions about the FAA’s commitment to ensuring safety, particularly regarding the identification and support of pilots dealing with mental health and substance misuse issues.

Ironically, FAA policies may be exacerbating these problems. The agency mandates that pilots undergo annual medical certification, where they must disclose all interactions with healthcare professionals over the past three years, including reasons for visits, dates, and provider information. While these requirements may seem exhaustive, they heavily rely on self-disclosure, which is often unreliable. People with mental health or substance misuse issues may underreport their struggles due to the fear of losing their pilot’s license and livelihood.

A study revealed that 26.8% of pilots admitted to underreporting to their Aviation Medical Examiner, with 56.1% avoiding necessary healthcare. These statistics demonstrate that many pilots choose to suffer in silence, posing risks to aerospace safety and passenger well-being.

It’s time for the FAA to adopt a more proactive, open-minded, and realistic approach to pilot well-being. Collaborating with mental health experts who understand the unique challenges faced by safety-sensitive professionals is crucial. The FAA should incorporate mental health best practices into its policies, fostering an environment where pilots are encouraged to seek help without fear of reprisal.

Other safety-sensitive industries like healthcare and law have already taken steps to prioritize employee well-being. They have shifted work cultures, reformed licensure laws to inquire only about current impairing conditions, improved access to well-being activities, and created supportive work environments. The FAA should follow suit.

Additionally, the FAA must gather confidential and accurate data on pilot well-being to understand the extent of the problem. Policies and procedures should be destigmatized, promote self-disclosure, encourage preventative treatment, and incorporate evidence-based approaches for identifying pilots in need of support during the annual medical certification process.

Ensuring passenger safety requires a shift from a culture of silence to one that loudly emphasizes the priority of pilot well-being.

Note: Richard Frank is the Director of the Brookings Schaeffer Initiative on Health Policy. Robyn Hacker is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in the Behavioral Health and Wellness Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, thehill.com