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RFDS Pilot Sacked
Flying doctor pilot sacked for failing drug test - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland says it had no option but to sack a pilot who failed a drug and alcohol test after the plane he was flying lost contact with air traffic control. The pilot was forced to take the test after the incident, during which contact was lost for 13 minutes while the plane was carrying a nurse and two patients from Bundaberg to Brisbane. Chief executive Nino di Marco says it is unclear if those on board knew something was wrong. "At this stage, that's all subject to the investigation," he said. "What we do know is that there was a 13-minute period where the aircraft did lose contact, so in terms of what happened, that is part of the investigation process." Mr Di Marco says the service has a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol. "The two key areas of importance for us is patient welfare and employee safety and that's something that we value highly," he said. "The fact that this is the first incident of its nature in the organisation's history, it's shocked and disappointed us." |
The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland says it had no option but to sack a pilot who failed a drug and alcohol test after the plane he was flying lost contact with air traffic control. "At this stage, that's all subject to the investigation," DK :uhoh: |
They have to investigate why he lost contact and what had occurred on the aircraft.
But if you fail a drug test, you fail a drug test, whether or not something goes wrong. |
Was it drugs, OR alcohol?
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When did the loss of contact occur?
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A colleague of mine failed a DAMP test. Blew 0.9. That's right.9, not 0.09. They didn't realise initially that they'd be dead at that reading, if it were accurate.
I certainly hope for the RFDS' sake, that equipment error, false positives, etc, etc have been ruled out BEFORE they sacked the pilot. ABC TV news at 7 in FNQ, said that the other occupants of the aircraft had been offered counselling (or something similar). |
It's not within the scope of DAMP to fire someone on a first offence, this raises far more questions than it answers. Also not sure West Ops would appreciate being roped in with a picture of their aircraft. :=
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It's not within the scope of DAMP to fire someone on a first offence, If an operator has it documented in their DAMP and the employees are informed of the dismissal action as the result an initial positive and confirmatory positive tests, anyone failing a drug or alcohol test can be dismissed. There is plenty of precedent for dismissal after the first positive test in other industries where staff operate complex machinery. |
In mining, road transport and many other machinery related industries I've been involved in, both Oz & NZ, the company has a "duty of care" to the employee and are obliged to provide counselling and assistance to the person
Rio Tinto has a 3 strike rule in NSW and many other areas, unless gross misconduct Appears very heavy handed based on the info available so far |
Originally Posted by Dangly Bits
Was it drugs, OR alcohol?
:ugh: |
Reading the article , noting the loss of comms and noting the bit about " counseling" I wonder here if this was not a matter of being " over the limit" on a breath test, but being functionally and visibly incapable due to intoxication?
I can think of no other reason why three strikes would not apply. |
Sounds like he tested positive to crack cocaine.
Whilst its no excuse to be off your noggin and flying an aeroplane with passengers the guy obviously has a substance abuse addiction. Firing him will be a one way ticket down a very dark road. I would have thought counseling and support would have been the most appropriate measure. Whilst its clear that he shouldn't continue his role as a Pilot, he should not be abandoned to his own devices either. Sad times for the industry with these types of events occurring. |
Where's the personal accountability? This guy put his aircraft and passengers plus possibly some on the ground at huge risk.
By all means send him to drug rehab but keep him out of the sky thank you. |
http://m.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/royal-flying-doctor-service-pilot-passed-out-at-controls-later-tests-positive-for-drugs/story-fndo45r1-1226520737157
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Before there was DAMP
In the old days there was common sense. Don't drink and fly. Don't get high and fly!
All of a sudden some would argue that DAMP is the cause of the problem - not A clear demand of all employers is that we pilots to remain sober and free of all intoxicating substances for at least 8 hours before flying. Most of us obey the expectation, but some don't. CASA introduced "Drug Alcohol Monitoring Procedures" to monitor those of unknown addictions (initial test); to enable counselling of those with problems (ongoing) and to catch the dishonest (random) who think they can continue to pull the wool over the eyes of those in Authority. If you were able to look into the etiology of this incident, I am sure you would find that this pilot has been more than fairly treated prior to and during this "incident" but at the end of the day he brought this problem down on his own head and has received his just deserts. I have worked for the service for many years and have found them, if anything, very long suffering of employee quirks |
The past is a key to the future
And while you are all saddened for the fate of this pilot hopefully reading this will wake you up to the other possibilities -
Media Releases: 18 March 2004 - ATSB final report on the Hamilton Island fatal aircraft accident and aviation research discussion papers on alcohol and cannabis use |
The amount of PILOTS who test positive under DAMP is very small. No I don't know the exact figure but when I attended a DAMP course we were given the breakdown of positive tests by job category and pilots were very low.
I am not making excuses for this person, but for someone in their position to take a drug as dangerous and destructive as meth really indicates a serious personal issue. I would strongly urge the RFDS to work with this pilot to help them recover. They are after all a medical outfit. Even AFL Football players get three strikes and the first two are confidential! To the affected pilot - take care of yourself and get help before it is way too late, please! |
I would have thought counseling and support would have been the most appropriate measure. Why are people these days so willing to put personal responsibility onto anyone else other than taking responsibility themselves. Why is the employer responsible for the rehabilitation costs for something that is self-inflicted? |
The nanny state attitude today is sick. The company/governments are not responsible for an individual's personal behaviour. These people need to be held accountable for their actions. Putting others at risk is culpable. When it's life and death there can be no second chances.
Even AFL Football players get three strikes and the first two are confidential! |
Agree TBM.
I'm gobsmacked if the media report is correct. |
News on radio this morning saying he was asleep.
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Ninemsn states he tested positive to methamphetamines, whether this is true or not who knows.
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Which can be used for narcolespy.
I think it might be smarter for the RFDS to have a full investigation then comment. Could be a tad embarrassing for them if their rostering practices led the pilot to using stimulants to stay awake. |
Nothing to do with being a nanny state and the employer responsible.
Obviously the pilot has some self destructive personal issues and needs help and rebabilitation. I don't think the flight deck is the right place for him, but I do think he deserves help and support to get his life on track. It will be dark days for him right now and what does a drug addict do when they are down and it all gets too hard? Take more drugs. Not a good place to be in. |
Nothing to do with being a nanny state and the employer responsible. If this turns out to be a stuffup and/or a legal use of Meth or whatever they will never send that to the media. Given the nature of the RFDS I doubt this is some druggo pilot. It would be some bloke who is struggling doing night shift and probably was given something to keep him awake either legally or not. The Mt Gambier accident pilot had similar problems and also struggled with nights and it resulted in a fatal accident. So lets wait for the full investigation and see what happens. Maybe the RFDS should consider 2 crew ops for late night if guys can't stay awake.... |
I'm sure that the RFDS SMS covers his "tiredness"...If he failed to use the system and call in that he was unable to fly the RFDS would listen.
Stop the excuses... |
Which can be used for narcolespy. Very dangerous indeed. |
The story is on the front page of today's Courier Mail news paper.
Drug-addled pilot passed out at controls | The Courier-Mail I suspect the operator had no options and acted in an entirely appropriate and responsible manner. |
Whilst there may be some truth to the article don't believe everything you read in the press. What they don't know they make up. A desperately low calling is journalism.
D:hmm: |
Indeed, in my opinion, as low as you can go. Better chance of a used car salesman telling you something closer to the truth.
There are exceptions, but very very few. |
The Mt Gambier accident pilot had similar problems and also struggled with nights and it resulted in a fatal accident. Maybe the RFDS should consider 2 crew ops for late night if guys can't stay awake.... |
Me thinks there's a little more than meets the eye with this?
God forbid an investigative reporter takes it on. Nah, **** it, too hard, let's see what **** we can make up. |
All Turbine Engine operations under JAR are two crew, aeromed or otherwise.
Journalists: Qualified for nothing but experts at everything! |
RFDS Pilot Sacked
I've been there late nights long sectors short frequent sectors no aid black holes the whole nine yards.
Anyway CASA and their FRMS that really doesn't fit it doesn't work for most pilots ask the long haul pilots in Emirates and who set up their FRMS. The long nights two or three in a row are dangerous, the operators and CASA KNOW THIS! But dollar cost are paramount . ANYWAY if you are briefed about the company FRMS the policy and the due process you take the drug you face the consequences. Testing for anyone is just a matter of time be prepared! I agree that there should be a need for some rehabilitation but who is the mentor here the RFDS or the pilots family? |
I'm sure that the RFDS SMS covers his "tiredness"...If he failed to use the system and call in that he was unable to fly the RFDS would listen. Anyway drugs aside it is a disgrace that this guy got fired before they even had an investigation. Stood down on full pay should what happens. Once the investigation is complete then you can fire him. As I said before this could blow right up in RFDS's face if it ends up being a cockup one way or another. If this was a politician or some high profile person in society they would be saying that we need to wait for a full investigation before we can do anything but in aviation you just get the boot.....awesome system. Either way it doesn't sound good if the newspapers are anything to go by.... A ROYAL Flying Doctor Service pilot allegedly passed out at the controls of a plane for 13 minutes while transporting patients, later testing positive to methamphetamine. A nurse had to wake him as the plane flew to Brisbane during the airport's peak hour. The pilot was sacked yesterday over the incident on an RFDS King Air B200 on November 5. He was the only pilot on board the plane, which was also carrying two patients. The Courier-Mail understands Air Traffic Control became concerned after the King Air left its assigned altitude without clearance about 42 minutes into a flight from Bundaberg. RFDS Queensland CEO Nino Di Marco said the plane lost contact with Air Traffic Control for 13 minutes. The incident is believed to have occurred between 4pm and 4.13pm. "The plane subsequently regained contact," Mr Di Marco said. "The aircraft then landed and all on board landed safety." Under the RFDS drugs and alcohol policy, the pilot was tested after the mid-air incident and allegedly found positive to methamphetamine. Mr Di Marco said the pilot, one of about 60 working for the RFDS in Queensland, was dismissed under the service's "zero tolerance" to flying under the influence of drugs or alcohol. "That's the whole issue here," he said. "Patient welfare and employee safety to us are non-negotiable. We just can't compromise on those. That is our primary focus. "The RFDS takes its impeccable safety record very seriously and last year safely transported more than 11,000 patients across Queensland." The pilot is believed to be the first in the 84-year history of the RFDS to be dismissed for flying under the influence of illicit drugs. Mr Di Marco said the RFDS had notified the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau about the incident. The matter had also been referred to the police. "A number of investigations are under way. Until those investigations are complete, I can't comment further," he said. CASA conducts random drug and alcohol testing on pilots across Australia and RFDS pilots are tested under that program. Queensland's Chief Nursing Officer Frances Hughes said she was relieved the nurse, patients and pilot had landed safely. "My concern now is to ensure the wellbeing of our nurse and the ongoing treatment of the patients who were on board," Dr Hughes said. Mr Di Marco said the RFDS had been working with Queensland Health to support the nurse, believed to have taken leave after the incident. "The patients have been contacted and support offered," he said. Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said any airborne incident, from turbulence to something more serious, could be stressful. |
Since when has METHamphetamine been used to treat narcolepsy? DEXamphetamine perhaps?
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Not saying Wikpedia is the fountain of all Medical Knowledge but here's what they say..
Methamphetamine has found use as both a medicinal and recreational drug. Medical use Methamphetamine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in treating ADHD and exogenous obesity (obesity originating from factors outside of the patient's control) in both adults and children.[9] Methamphetamine is a Schedule II drug in the United States and is sold under the trademark name Desoxyn.[9] Desoxyn may be prescribed off-label for the treatment of narcolepsy and treatment-resistant depression.[10] Recreational use Methamphetamine is used as a recreational drug for its euphoric and stimulant properties. |
Can't have been a very good stimulant if he fell asleep.
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Would Dextroamphetamine also give you a positive test for Meth? A bit off-topic, but interesting none-the-less! Back in the "old" days we used to give calamphetamine i/v to cows that were reluctant to get up after treatment for "milk fever". Worked a treat, but you had to be quick on your feet cause they got a bit excited! :E Alas, it was taken off the market when it became popular as a recreational drug! Dr :8 |
... it is a disgrace that this guy got fired before they even had an investigation. Plenty of time for an investigation. |
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