A recent incident involving an off-duty pilot’s attempt to shut off fuel to a plane’s engines midair has raised concerns about the aviation industry’s approach to pilot mental health. Advocates emphasize that the tight regulations and reliance on pilot “self-reporting” create a culture where aviators are often hesitant to seek help for mental health issues.
The incident in question involved off-duty pilot Joseph Emerson, who was arrested after attempting to shut off the fuel supply to a Horizon Air plane’s engines while in the cockpit. Emerson, who has been charged in federal and state court in Oregon, admitted to suffering from depression and having a “nervous breakdown” leading up to the incident. Such incidents draw attention to the stigma and fear surrounding reporting mental health issues in the aviation industry.
Ross Aimer, CEO of Aero Consulting Experts and a former United Airlines pilot, points out that self-disclosing mental health issues or the use of medication for such issues often leads to a pilot’s loss of flying status and potentially their job. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established regulations, including self-disclosure requirements, fear of job loss remains a significant barrier.
Research, including a study by Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, suggests that underreporting of mental health issues is prevalent among airline pilots due to the stigma surrounding mental illness and the fear of being grounded. The 2016 study also highlighted the connection between pilot mental health and the tragic 2015 Germanwings crash, which led to the FAA’s formation of a committee to reassess its approach to pilot mental health.
Despite some changes, there has not been a substantial overhaul of the aviation industry’s treatment of mental health issues. Recent research indicates that approximately 12.4% of pilots may be clinically depressed, and about 4% have had suicidal ideations. However, many pilots still choose not to report their depression due to concerns about job security and loss of earnings.
The FAA has attempted to address these concerns, emphasizing that reporting mental health issues does not necessarily lead to a pilot being grounded indefinitely. It has also focused on establishing aircrew peer support networks to provide assistance to pilots facing mental health challenges. Nevertheless, barriers persist, such as restrictions on the use of certain antidepressants and the strict approval process for psychiatric medications.
Advocates, including pilot and researcher Deborah Donnelly-McLay, suggest that the FAA should adopt an approach similar to how the aviation industry addressed alcohol and substance use disorders. The Air Line Pilots Association’s Human Intervention Motivational Study (HIMS) program has successfully treated pilots with alcohol and substance use disorders and helped them return to flying after treatment.
While the aviation industry has made strides in addressing substance use disorders, the challenge of addressing mental health issues among pilots continues to raise concerns and requires further attention.
