It’s a well-known fact too much alcohol can alter a person’s mood, behavior and coordination, not to mention impairing their decision-making abilities. Aviators are not immune to the complications surrounding alcohol as some professional pilots have learned when they were removed from revenue flights after another crewmember or gate agent smelled alcohol on their breath.
NTSB Points to Alcohol-Impaired Pilot as the Cause of Alaska Accident
Key Takeaways:
- A 2019 general aviation accident near Girdwood, Alaska, involving a Piper PA22-150 resulted in the death of the ATP-rated pilot and three passengers.
- The NTSB determined the accident was directly caused by the pilot's severe alcohol impairment, with his blood alcohol concentration at 0.252 gm/dl.
- This BAC was 5.5 times higher than the regulatory limit for pilots, significantly degrading judgment, psychomotor functioning, and awareness.
- Witnesses observed aggressive flight maneuvers prior to the crash, with the NTSB concluding the pilot was too intoxicated to realize he was flying into a mountain.
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