Toxicological Investigation of Aircraft Accidents: Selected Case Reports from 450 Fatal Aircraft Accidents

The Pharmacology-Biochemistry Laboratory began to perform forensic toxicology in connection with investigation of fatal aircraft accidents in 1967. In 20% of the pilots involved in 450 accidents studied to date, drugs, alcohol, or carbon monoxide have been found at significant levels and may have contributed to the occurrence of the accident.

This paper deals primarily with a group of miscellaneous findings which should be of interest to accident investigators and and pilots: possible significance of cholinesterase measurements after fire, and of alcohol after immersion; pilots flying after refusal of licensure for medical reasons; complications introduced by passengers; negative findings when positive findings might have been anticipated; large quantities of drugs in pilot's possession.