Aviation suicide: a review of general aviation accidents in the U.K., 1970-96

Cullen SA
Aviat Space Environ Med 1998; 69:696-8

Abstract

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 Kingdom, suicide definitely accounts for 0.72% of general aviation accidents and possibly for more than 2.4%. The latter accords more closely with the findings from Germany than from the United States. Previous psychiatric 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 incomplete without an examination of the victim's social and psychological history. An assessment of a pilot's mental well-being is an essential part of aviation medical examinations.

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Table of Contents for Volume 69, Number 7 of the ASEM journal.