Summary
- FAA expanded the approved antidepressant list for pilots and ATCs.
- It now allows SSRIs, SNRIs, and NDRIs for conditional use, with a total of eight different drugs.
- The regulator has aimed to tackle mental health issues following an incident when a jumpseating pilot attempted to shut down the engines of an aircraft mid-air.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has added three antidepressants that are approved for use by pilots and air traffic controllers (ATC), a significant development for the mental well-being of professionals working in the aviation industry.
Antidepressant protocol
As a result of the addition of the three drugs, the FAA has renamed its selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Protocol to the Antidepressant Protocol. The change was made after the regulator had added additional medications on April 24 while also planning to include Wellbutrin, a norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), on May 31.
Photo: The Bold Bureau | Shutterstock
In total, the FAA now allows certain SSRIs, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), and NDRIs for conditional use. Now, there are eight drugs that pilots and ATCs can take and keep their medical certificates.
However, the FAA explained that individuals “can be considered for first, second, or third-class medical certificates while being treated with one of several specific antidepressants.” As such, the decision to issue a medical certificate is made on a case-by-case basis.
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Forming a mental health committee
The FAA had formed its latest Pilot Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) in December after an Alaska Airlines pilot, who was flying in a jump seat on a Horizon Air Embraer E175, tried to shut down the engines of the aircraft mid-air.
The regional jet was operating flight AS2059 on behalf of Alaska Airlines on October 22. Then, the aircraft flying between Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) when it had to divert to Portland International Airport (PDX) after the jump-seating pilot attempted to shut down both engines.
Photo: Alaska Airlines
In a statement released the following day, the airline said that the pilots of the E175 “reported a credible security threat related to an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who was traveling in the flight deck jump seat.”
“The jump seat occupant unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines. The Horizon Captain and First Officer quickly responded, engine power was not lost and the crew secured the aircraft without incident.”
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Committee’s recommendations
The ARC issued its recommendation report on April 1, with the committee working on four major issues, including the FAA’s handling of mental health diagnoses, the current medical screening process in aviation, barriers preventing aviation professionals from reporting about mental health issues, and education, training, and awareness about mental health issues.
Photo : Chad Robertson Media | Shutterstock
While the full 164-page report can be found here, the ARC summarized its recommendations to the FAA, starting with the suggestion to create a non-punitive pathway for disclosing mental health issues and treatment. Additional recommendations include the revision and evaluation of the requirements for reporting and certification/qualification of psychotherapy, as well as specific mental health conditions and other suggestions to the US regulator.
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