AVIATION SUICIDE - A REVIEW OF GENERAL-AVIATION ACCIDENTS IN THE UK, 1970-96

A review was undertaken of 415 general aviation accidents. Three were definite cases of suicide and in another seven it seemed possible that the deceased had taken their own lives. Therefore, in the United King dom, suicide definitely accounts for 0.72% of general aviation acciden ts and possibly for more than 2.4%. The latter accords more closely wi th the findings from Germany than from the United States. Previous psy chiatric or domestic problems and alcohol misuse are features of these cases. Aerobatics before the final impact is another frequent finding . The investigation of fatal accidents involving ''pilot error'' is in complete without an examination of the victim's social and psychologic al history. An assessment of a pilot's mental well-being is an essenti al part of aviation medical examinations.