DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED (DWI) CONVICTIONS AND JOB-RELATED FLYING PERFORMANCE - A STUDY OF COMMERCIAL AIR SAFETY

This paper is a report on the relationship between driving while intox icated (DWI) convictions and job-related flying performance. The data, obtained by the Federal Aviation Administration, focuses on commercia l air accidents and incidents in the years 1986-1992. Pilot-error acci dents were modelled using logistic regression with age, experience (to tal flying hours), risk exposure (recent flying hours) and employer (m ajor/non-major) as the independent variables. This study provides empi rical evidence that job-related flying performance differs significant ly between airline pilots with and without DWI convictions. It also su ggests that passengers on a commercial flight flown by a pilot with DW I(s) may incur an increased accident risk. DWI background checks may b e an effective method for improving commercial air safety if used with appropriate follow-up actions.