Incapacitation in the general aviation flight environment is a matter of utmost concern to the Federal Aviation Administration since the likelihood of accident is greater due to a lack of redundant pilot skills in most instances. The purpose of this study was to appraise the adequacy of medical standards in minimizing the risk of sudden incapacitation.
This study considered NTSB data and postcrash medical data received by the Medical Statistical Section of the Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, during the time period from 1975 to the present and other related literature to estimate the probability of incapacitation in general aviation.
Data for the years studied indicate that approximately 3 accidents per thousand (15 per 1,000 fatal accidents) are known to result from the incapacitation of the pilot for all causes. Results further suggest that the likelihood of incapacitation increases with age.
The occurrence of incapacitation for obvious medical reasons is less than would be expected based on general population morbidity/mortality data; however, the need for continued vigilance in certification and education regarding flying with known or suspected medical problems is emphasized.
Although it is not known when the first accident due to pilot in-flight medical incapacitation occurred, a recent survey showed that almost one-third ...
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel treat an estimated 22 million patients a year in the United States. Estimates have placed the EMS workforce...
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