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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...d-to-fly-despite-wanting-to-crash-planes.html
Mentally ill Qantas pilot allowed to fly despite 'wanting to crash planes'
A mentally ill Qantas pilot who experienced strong urges to crash the planes he was flying was allowed to remain in charge of passenger aircraft for nearly three years, according to evidence given to a workers compensation commission.
By Bonnie Malkin in Sydney
Published: 7:00AM GMT 23 Mar 2010
Bryan Arthur Griffin resigned from Qantas in 1982 when because of severe obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression.
As part of his claim against the airline, the New South Wales Workers Compensation Commission heard that between 1979 and 1982 he had battled against an overwhelming urge to switch off his plane's engines. Mr Griffin told the commission that his condition was made worse by continuing to work for the airline.
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The commission heard that while running through an emergency procedure on a flight to Singapore, Mr Griffin's hand "involuntarily moved towards the start levers", the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
In another "tortuous" incident he said he "struggled with the uncontrollable limb as though it wasn't mine" and was forced to place it under his seat belt to restrain it.
"The force of the arm moving against the seat belt towards the thrust levers was so much that it made the arm sore," the claim stated.
His "pain and terror dissipated" once he left the flight deck and smoked several cigarettes. But he would often return to the controls after he had calmed down.
After informing his colleagues of the urges, Mr Griffin was examined by several doctors but ultimately declared fit to fly.
But his disorder and his professional conduct worsened when he was back at work. Mr Griffin ignored instructions, repeatedly missing radio and altitude calls, and suffered from repeated urges to crash the aircraft.
He was again examined by several doctors and psychiatrists and given extended leave to recuperate, but was later allowed to return to the cockpit.
A report from Mr Griffin's psychiatrist said Qantas had failed to fully understand Mr Griffin's serious psychiatric problem or to consider "the danger which you brought to passengers flying with you and the public generally, should you have crashed an aircraft".
Qantas declined to comment.
The commission upheld Mr Griffin's claim against the airline, ruling that his condition had been exacerbated by continuing to work for Qantas. Qantas was ordered to pay him about $160,000 (£97,000) plus medical and legal costs. The airline is considering an appeal.
Mr Griffin has not flown aircraft again since his resignation from Qantas.
Mentally ill Qantas pilot allowed to fly despite 'wanting to crash planes'
A mentally ill Qantas pilot who experienced strong urges to crash the planes he was flying was allowed to remain in charge of passenger aircraft for nearly three years, according to evidence given to a workers compensation commission.
By Bonnie Malkin in Sydney
Published: 7:00AM GMT 23 Mar 2010
Bryan Arthur Griffin resigned from Qantas in 1982 when because of severe obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression.
As part of his claim against the airline, the New South Wales Workers Compensation Commission heard that between 1979 and 1982 he had battled against an overwhelming urge to switch off his plane's engines. Mr Griffin told the commission that his condition was made worse by continuing to work for the airline.
Related Articles
Unite: only three out of 77 BA flights operating normally
BA pilot who saved 152 passengers claims he was 'hung out to dry'
The commission heard that while running through an emergency procedure on a flight to Singapore, Mr Griffin's hand "involuntarily moved towards the start levers", the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
In another "tortuous" incident he said he "struggled with the uncontrollable limb as though it wasn't mine" and was forced to place it under his seat belt to restrain it.
"The force of the arm moving against the seat belt towards the thrust levers was so much that it made the arm sore," the claim stated.
His "pain and terror dissipated" once he left the flight deck and smoked several cigarettes. But he would often return to the controls after he had calmed down.
After informing his colleagues of the urges, Mr Griffin was examined by several doctors but ultimately declared fit to fly.
But his disorder and his professional conduct worsened when he was back at work. Mr Griffin ignored instructions, repeatedly missing radio and altitude calls, and suffered from repeated urges to crash the aircraft.
He was again examined by several doctors and psychiatrists and given extended leave to recuperate, but was later allowed to return to the cockpit.
A report from Mr Griffin's psychiatrist said Qantas had failed to fully understand Mr Griffin's serious psychiatric problem or to consider "the danger which you brought to passengers flying with you and the public generally, should you have crashed an aircraft".
Qantas declined to comment.
The commission upheld Mr Griffin's claim against the airline, ruling that his condition had been exacerbated by continuing to work for Qantas. Qantas was ordered to pay him about $160,000 (£97,000) plus medical and legal costs. The airline is considering an appeal.
Mr Griffin has not flown aircraft again since his resignation from Qantas.
