Alcohol abuse by airline pilots is a serious threat to the safety of the flying public. This paper analyzes two strategies for reducing pilot-error aviation accidents: conducting background checks on pilots for driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) convictions and random preflight alcohol testing of airline pilots. These policies have been implemented, yet no empirical research has been conducted to justify either strategy. The results and conclusions of this study are based on analysis of data obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration on the flying performance of 70,164 airline pilots. DWI convictions are associated with a significantly greater risk of a pilot-error accident. In contrast, no evidence exists to validate the assumption that a random alcohol testing program could have prevented accidents. The findings offer support for improving the existing DWI background check program and for reducing the sampling rate of random alcohol testing for airline pilots. This twofold strategy could result in greater improvements in aviation safety and reduced overall costs.
Abstract