The European Aviation Safety Agency on Tuesday published a set of proposals to the European Commission for an update of the rules concerning pilots’ medical fitness as part of a so-called action plan following the March 24, 2015 crash of Germanwings Flight 9525. The co-pilot, who had a history of mental illness, intentionally crashed the Airbus A320 in the Alps, killing all on board. Released in a document known as an opinion, the proposals include strengthening the initial and recurrent medical examination of pilots by including drug and alcohol screening, comprehensive mental health assessment and improved follow-up in case of medical history of psychiatric conditions. The opinion also calls for improving the quality of aero-medical examinations through enhanced training, oversight and assessment of aero-medical examiners (AMEs). Finally, it calls for a more systematic approach to preventing fraud by mandating aero-medical centers and AMEs to report all incomplete medical assessments to the relevant authority.
More In Accidents
