The specific details of the accident are as follows. The aircraft departed around ten in the morning prior to reaching the assigned cruising altitude. The departure was preceded by a short delay on the ground. The aircraft then descended from the assigned cruising altitude without permission about a half an hour later (about a minute after reaching the assigned cruising altitude). The controller declared the aircraft in distress after losing radar contact with the flight and observing a rapid rate of descent on the radar. The aircraft continued the descent for about ten minutes prior to colliding with the surrounding terrain. The cause of the accident was soon discovered to be intentional. The first officer initiated the constant rate descent after locking the captain out of the flight deck. The first officer had a history of mental illness relating to depression but this was undisclosed to his employer. The first officer had issues relating to mental health prior to this accident which included being treated for both depression and suicidal tendencies while completing his commercial pilot certificate. These treatments resulted in a delayed application process for the first officer at the end of his commercial flight training.
There have been other incidents involving pilots with mental health issues. Another incident relating to mental health occurred a few years ago. This involved a JetBlue pilot who had a mental breakdown during a flight. The flight was forced to make an unscheduled emergency landing as a result. The pilot was subdued and later charged with interfering with the flight crew. The pilot was believed to be taking medication for bipolar disorder or depression.
The mental health of a pilot is currently screened by the Aeronautical Medical Examiner at the renewal of the medical. The Federal Aviation Administration currently requires an airline pilot under the age of 40 to renew their medical every year. A pilot over the age of 40 is required to renew their medical every six months. The applicant is supposed to self report any mental issues prior to the exam on the application. The screening during the exam is not extensive and many mental illnesses go undisclosed (an applicant affected by a disorder or mental health issued does not want to disclose the information because it may result in termination or suspension). This process is not very effective because self disclosing any issue has a negative impact on the pilot. A more extensive screening should be done during the medical exam to completely examine each applicant. A number of different tests could be used to completely screen each applicant prior to the renewal of their medical.
A possible solution would be to allow a pilot to disclose some mental illnesses without penalty. This would allow for a more proactive approach to problem and may permit a diagnosed individual to get the treatment they require without penalty. Allowing a pilot to disclose some issues without penalty would provide problems for both the airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration. Allowing a pilot to remain employed with certain mental health issues will cause unrest among the public. The challenge to the Federal Aviation Administration and airlines would be determining what level of mental health would be acceptable.
Sources
Clark N & Bilefsky D. (2015 March 25). Germanwings Pilot was Locked Out of Cockpit Before Crash. Retrieved September 19 2015.
Faiola A. (2015 June 12). Germanwings Pilot Was Not Fit to Fly. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 19 2015.
I agree, I believe pilots should be able to disclose mental illnesses without penalty.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you Chris, the way in which the FAA stipulates that an airmen will self report any mental health issues is simply not enough.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a more extensive examination needs to be done and that pilots should be able to disclose their issues without the penalty of losing their job completely. I get what you said about keeping an employee with those certain mental illnesses can cause unrest among the public; however, if they would allow those pilots a set period of time to receive the treatment they needed while holding their position, I feel that would be a fair arrangement.
ReplyDeleteThis is a scary idea to allow pilots with known metal health conditions to work in the industry. They would have to put some type of penalty or restriction on these pilots if they disclose their mental health status. One because they will need to be watched closely to ensure they are mentally stable. I think even if the FAA and the Airlines told pilots that if they have and mental illness and they disclosed it they will not be penalized no one would ever do it. Because people with mental illness normally do not think they are ill and two people do not want their employer knowing every intimate detail of their life. They as don’t want to be know as the crazy guy.
ReplyDeleteSelf reporting is a failure, I agree. The ways you mention the FAA could change this through more extensive tests during medical screening is on point but unfortunately depression and mental illness culminates during a career, rather than before a medical. It may be valuable to allow pilots a way out, to admit depression or something has manifested, and possibly pay them out to disclose their illness.
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