Aircraft-Assisted Pilot Suicides: Lessons to be Learned

Abstract

Aircraft assisted suicides were studied in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Finland during 1956-2012 by means of literature search and accident case analysis. According to our study the frequency varied slightly between the studies. Overall, the new estimate of aircraft assisted suicides in the United States in a 20-yr period (1993-2012) is 0.33% (95% CI 0.21-0.49) (24/7244). In the detailed accident case analysis, it was found that in five out of the eight cases from the United States, someone knew of prior suicidal ideation before the aircraft assisted fatality. The caveats of standard medico-legal autopsy and accident investigation methods in investigation of suspected aircraft assisted suicides are discussed. It is suggested that a psychological autopsy should be performed in all such cases. Also the social context and possibilities of the prevention of aviation-related suicides were analyzed. In addition, some recent aircraft assisted suicides carried out using commercial aircraft during scheduled services and causing many casualties are discussed.

Reflecting on the Germanwings Disaster: A Systematic Review of Depression and Suicide in Commercial Airline Pilots

“…Figure 1 represents the studies identified at each phase of our search using the PRISMA flow diagram. The search strategy identified 709 papers of which 20 met the inclusion criteria ( 8 – 27 ). We divided the studies into three groups, displayed accordingly: depression and associated psychosocial factors (Table 1 ), suicide and substance abuse (Table 2 ), and sleep and fatigue (Table 3 ).…”

“…However, suicidal ideation does not necessarily lead to a suicide attempt. Regarding fatal aircraft accidents, between 1993 and 2012 U.S. aircraft-assisted suicide by pilots totals 0.33% (24/7,244 fatal accidents) ( 18 , 27 ).…”

Analysis ofNTSBAircraft‐Assisted Pilot Suicides: 1982–2014

“…Vuorio et al. () stated that aircraft‐assisted suicides in the United States were about 0.33% of all general aviation accidents. Bor, Field, and Scragg () estimated a slightly higher rate at between 0.72% and 2.4%, and Schwark et al.…”

“…Curtailing suicide, whether aircraft assisted or not, is difficult. Estimates are that between one‐third to one‐half (Martin et al., ; Owen et al., ) of completed suicides directly communicated their intention beforehand, with 18% to 22% letting family physicians or mental health professionals know (Martin et al., ; Vuorio et al., ), and 60% letting spouses or significant others know (Martin et al., ). Piloting is one of the few occupations that require frequent and rigorous health checks; however, pilots may fear questions about mental health may jeopardize careers, livelihood, and enjoyment of flying (Bor et al., ).…”

On doctors’ accountability and flight deck safety

“…The probability that aircrafts are used to assist suicide is exceedingly low. We have recently estimated that suicide accounts for about 0.3% of fatal accident cases in general aviation, which would be approximately 8 cases in the USA between 2003-2012 ( 1 ); but this figure is likely to be even lower in commercial air transport. However, in commercial air transport the consequences are severe, in that one accident can cause many deaths.…”