2The National Transportation Safety Board leading an expert discussion on pilots and mental health.
"Let me be clear. The safety risk comes from a culture of silence around mental health, not about seeking help."
Recent research from the University of North Dakota found more than half of pilots avoid seeking healthcare of some type, fearing they'll lose their 3FAA medical certification and their ability to fly. That includes mental health concerns from which experts 4emphasize pilots are not immune.
"They're dealing with their people, too. They're 5dealing with their families, they're dealing with their stresses. And now they're also having to get people to where they need to be during the holiday season, which also can be very stressful."
The case of Joseph Emerson, an 6off-duty pilot 7indicted Tuesday on 84 counts in an Oregon court 8accused of trying to 9shut off the engines of a plane mid-flight in October, put the issue of pilot mental health 10front and center. Emerson told police he'd been depressed for months, if not years. His 11defense team said he never 12intended to hurt or 13put anyone at risk. The government looking to balance passenger safety with the well-being of pilots and other 14aviation workers.
"It's not just the right thing to do, it's the safe thing to do. What's unsafe is pretending the 15status quo is acceptable."
On Tuesday, the FAA announced a special committee to explore changes to pilot mental health rules, 16aiming to break down barriers to 17disclosure and seeking help.
