Details:

Creators:
Canfield, Dennis V. ; Dubowski, Kurt M. ; Chaturvedi, Arvind K. ; Whinnery, James E.
Canfield, Dennis V. ; Dubowski, Kurt M. ; Chaturvedi, Arvind K. ; Whinnery, James E. Less -
Corporate Creators:
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Air Pilots Aviation Safety Drugs Fatalities Medication
Publication/ Report Number:
DOT/FAA/AM-11/13
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
United States
Corporate Publisher:
United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration
Abstract:
The FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine sets medical standards needed to protect the public and pilots from death

or injury due to incapacitation of the pilot. As a part of this process, toxicology testing is performed by the FAA

on almost every pilot who is fatally injured in an aviation accident to determine the medical condition of the

pilot, medications used by the pilot at the time of the accident, and the extent of impairment, if any. The data

were extracted from the FAA toxicology database for all fatal pilots who died from 2004 and 2008 in aviation

accidents. The laboratory received and tested specimens from 1353 pilots who died in aviation accidents between

2004 and 2008. Findings where classified into three separate categories: Controlled Dangerous Substance,

Prescription, and Over-the-Counter drugs. This study was conducted to determine the extent of drug use in

pilots who have died in an aviation accidents from 2004 to 2008 and to determine the types of drugs most

commonly found. A comparison of previously published reports with this study’s report was made to determine

trends in drug use by pilots who have died in aviation accidents over the past 20 years. Factors were examined

that could influence drug trends noted over the years.

Diphenhydramine, an H1 antihistamine with impairing properties, is the most common drug found in pilots

who have died in aviation accidents. The FAA has taken steps to warn pilots of the dangers in using this

medication that is dispensed as both a prescription and an over-the-counter medication. Because significant

aviation performance impairment can be associated with diphenhydramine, the Office of Aerospace Medicine

will continue to take steps to help pilots decide when it is safe to resume flying duties after taking such an

impairing medication.


Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:46bd2cdcf77031fab8fa51f7c42ac5b00f1e744f420b432057a71995e1e3d02a
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/23283/dot_23283_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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