Drug use in the U.S. is on the rise. In aviation, through post-accident toxicology testing there is growing evidence of an increase in the use of over-the-counter (OTC), prescription, and—to a lesser extent—illicit drugs by pilots involved in fatal accidents. Of concern, many drugs have impairing side effects that negatively affect the ability of an individual to perform complex operations, such as operating an aircraft or other vehicles.
Evidence of headline-grabbing illicit drug use is low. In fact, illegal drugs are involved in only 2 to 3 percent of all aviation accidents. The main problem is the rise in the use of prescription and/or OTC drugs. A 2014 NTSB study on Drug Use Trends in Aviation showed nearly 40 percent of all general aviation pilots in fatal accidents had at least one positive drug finding in their system. Sedating antihistamines—such as diphenhydramine (common brands: Benadryl, Unisom, and Nytol)—are the most commonly found impairing substance in fatal crashes.
Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.
