The FAA has posted a new video, “Avoiding Adverse Drug Interactions in 57 Seconds,” detailing how pilots can avoid the effects of over the counter and prescription drugs when flying.
Several studies published by the FAA Toxicology Laboratory indicate the presence of illicit drugs, prescription, or over-the counter medications in 42% of pilots who died in fatal general aviation accidents, according to FAA officials.
While the NTSB and FAA have not necessarily cited drug or medication use as a causal factor in these accidents, the magnitude of these findings poses two questions:
- Have the drugs found in recent investigations diminished the pilot’s ability to safely conduct flight operations?
- Have the medical conditions requiring use of those drugs compromised the pilot’s ability to fly safely?
It may be impossible to say after the fact to what extent a drug compromised a pilot’s capability, but it’s safe to say that a consultation with one’s Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is a good idea before flying while using any drug, FAA officials advise.
Find out more in 57 seconds:
Instead of telling us what we can’t take. we should have a list of what we can take, so we have a cold we can take this medication safely. if we have an allergy we can take these medications safely without I’ll effects
if you have a cold you should not be PIC on any flight even as a passenger you can have health issues due to pressure changes.
“Several studies published by the FAA Toxicology Laboratory indicate the presence of illicit drugs, prescription, or over-the counter medications in 42% of pilots who died in fatal general aviation accidents, according to FAA officials.”
So, what we need to do is get rid of all the non-issue drugs/substances and then look at the actual problems. And does this take the fatalities involving “drugs” to something like 11% (as an example)?
We see this same sensationalizing with COVID-19. We are told of all these deaths involving Covid-19, but when coroners look at the actual cause(s), some number of Covid-19 deaths are subtracted because the person died of suicide (gunshot wound, self-inflicted, blood alcohol level >2 the lethal level, death caused by blunt force trauma), and, stroke, myocardial infarction, so on. They did not die from Covid-19.
I’ve read many NTSB reports. And they note that the drug may have been present but was at such a low amount as to not have an effect (I’ve forgotten the precise wording).
My doctor knows I’m a pilot so before he prescribes a medication I remind him to check the FAA list of meds.
If I have to take something not flight comparable I ground myself for the duration.
You are kidding, right? YOU are responsible for the restricted drugs, not your doc.
That’s why my doctor works with me to look at the list. It only takes a few minutes and if there is a work around the doc will know it. Individual responsibility also likes in if one is taking over the counter meds.