Mental health, crew and passenger safety have been at the forefront of conversation for aviation psychologists this week, due to reports that an off duty pilot has been charged with 83 felony counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft. The pilot has described being in a dream-like state when they pulled a lever that would cut fuel supply to the engines. Existing depression, sleep deprivation and the lingering effects of psychedelic mushrooms are all risk factors that could have created a perfect storm and derealisation. 

 

The pilot was riding in the jump-seat when he pulled the fire extinguishing system. This would have cut fuel to the engines had the two pilots in command not intervened (4).

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Based on testimony from the pilot, Professor Matt Johnson suggests that the pilot was in a dream-like state of derealisation when this happened. This could have culminated from a perfect storm of risk factors, including existing depression, sleep deprivation and the lingering effects of psychedelic mushrooms, which were taken 48 hours prior (5). 

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A key question is whether the pilot was using magic mushroom to self-midicate symptoms of depression, rather than seeking mental health advice from a prefessional. 

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I expected people to be angry and highly critical of this pilot - but the response has largely been one of compassion. There is much more anger and criticism towards the system of medical assessment in aviation, which silences people, generates barriers to support and exacerbates psychological symptoms. 

 

If a pilot self-declares a psychological diagnosis, they can realistically fear having their hard earned career wiped away or severely stunted. The stress, pressure and lack of hope that this produces contributes to poor mental health among pilots.

https://www.kptv.com/2023/10/26/pilots-must-show-mental-fitness-fly-many-dont-report-anxiety-depression-experts-explain-why/ 

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2023/10/27/pilots-mental-health-care

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We should monitor the mental health of pilots. They are responsible for the safety of many other people, and this requires a clear, decisive, healthy mindset. However, any monitoring should reflect the fact that psychological diagnoses can reflect a moment in time rather than a permanent state of being. We know that it is possible for the bleakest of feelings to dissipate and change if someone is offered intervention and support to change their circumstances.

 

Similarly, preventing someone from seeking help is likely to cause a prolonging or escalation of symptoms. Those who regulate aviation do appear to be fostering a risky environment, where pilots are more likely to try and maintain psychological wellbeing on their own, rather than do it with the support of mental health professionals. ​https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-10-26/alaska-airlines-breakdown-spotlights-pilots-mental-health-issues

 

Aviation psychology was born out of World War I and despite the trauma that seeped throughout this period, aviation psychologists were particularly focussed on the perceptual and cognitive processes involved in flying, how to optimise cockpit displays and select pilots for training.

 

This shows that our understanding of human psychology and response to suffering can be slow. I hope that this close call will encourage a proactive response and concerted effort to promote genuine psychological wellbeing in military and commercial aviation. 

 

Read more: 

 

• News report on pilot Joseph Emerson’s case

• European Association of Aviation Psychology: A professional network to encourage the successful management of human performance in aviation (EAAP).

• The International Journal of Aviation Psychology: a publication dedicated to publishing articles in this area. They draw on the expertise of engineering, computer science, psychology, education and physiology (IJAP).

• Directory of Aviation and Aerospace psychologists: A directory of 15 Chartered Psychologists registered with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

• Aviation for all: An association of diversity and inclusion who provide provide educational outreach programs, mentoring programs, scholarships and recognition awards to improve diversity and inclusion in the aviation indsutry (Aviation for All).