Pilot alcohol violations reported in U.S. newspapers, 1990-2006.
BACKGROUND
Alcohol violations by airline pilots are rare yet remain a public concern. Such incidents often generate widespread news coverage. This study examines the frequency and characteristics of alcohol violation incidents involving airline pilots reported in U.S. newspapers.


METHODS
The database of Lexis-Nexis, which contains full-text articles for over 350 newspapers, was searched to identify alcohol violation incidents involving airline pilots in the U.S. between January 1990 and June 2006. Information pertaining to the pilot, flight, blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and consequence was ascertained for each incident based on the newspaper coverage.


RESULTS
During the study period, newspapers reported on a total of 13 incidents of alcohol violations involving 17 pilots. All but two of the incidents occurred during January 2002 through June 2006. The majority (85%) of the incidents were first identified by airport personnel, such as security screeners, based on suspicion of alcohol use by the pilot. Subsequent alcohol testing revealed a mean BAC of 90 mg/dL (ranging from 10 mg x dL(-1) to 182 mg x dL(-1)). Of the 17 pilots, 6 were known to be prosecuted criminally, including 5 who were sentenced to jail terms.


CONCLUSIONS
Incidents of alcohol violations by airline pilots reported in U.S. newspapers have increased in recent years. This increase is likely due in part to increased detection resulting from enhanced aviation security and enforcement following the September 2001 terrorist attacks.
Kraus
Chadd K
CK
Department of Emergency Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, 5801 Smith Avenue, Davis Building, Suite 3220, Baltimore, MD 21209, USA.
Li
Guohua
G
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D009524:Newspapers as Topic; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000431:Ethanol