Article ID: | iaor19991875 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Volume: | 49 |
Issue: | 1 |
Start Page Number: | 28 |
End Page Number: | 32 |
Publication Date: | Jan 1998 |
Journal: | Journal of the Operational Research Society |
Authors: | McFadden K.L. |
Keywords: | statistics: regression, risk |
This paper is a report on the relationship between driving while intoxicated (DWI) convictions and job-related flying performance. The data, obtained by the Federal Aviation Administration, focus on commercial air accidents and incidents in the years 1986–1992. Pilot-error accidents were modelled using logistic regression with age, experience (total flying hours), risk exposure (recent flying hours) and employer (major/non-major) as the independent variables. This study provides empirical evidence that job-related flying performance differs significantly between airline pilots with and without DWI convictions. It also suggests that passengers on a commercial flight flown by a pilot with DWI(s) may incur an increased accident risk. DWI background checks may be an effective method for improving commercial air safety if used with appropriate follow-up actions.