You're right, it is about 50 years ago that this started in a small way. But I would say that this was not the main attack, that happened later.
But they are examined on an irregular basis if they make an incorrect decision which results in someone’s death, and which could result in them being struck-off.
Pilots are very definitely "examined" if they make an incorrect decision which results in someone’s death (whether or not the pilots survive). And they can be "struck off" too. Doctors rarely die if they kill their patients.