AIRLINE PILOT INCAPACITATION SURVEY

A survey, replicating one originally conducted by the international Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) in 1967, was carried out to investigate the aetiology of inflight incapacitation on commercial flight decks. The questionnaire was constructed by IFALPA and distributed worldwide by its member associations. Since response to the questionnaire was voluntary, no control of the sample population was possible. The results indicate that 29% of the 4,345 respondents had been incapacitated at least once. As in 1967, gastro-intestinal symptoms accounted for the majority (58%) of incidents, other main causes being symptoms of nasal and sinus congestion ('blocked' ear and sinus pain), headaches, and faintness or general weakness. Of those who had experienced an incident of incapacitation, 48% claimed that safety was actually, or potentially, affected. However, when all respondents were asked whether they were concerned about safety in the event of incapacitation inflight (excluding take-off and landing), only 25% expressed concern. Slightly more pilots operating in three-man crews (50.5%) thought incapacitation affected the safety of the flight than those operating in two-man crews (45.3%).