Legal Experts Call For Review Of Psychiatric Evaluation Rules

Specialist aviation lawyers helping the families of those killed in the Germanwings crash in the French Alps last week have urged airlines and aviation authorities to review the rules and implement regular expert psychiatric assessments of pilots following the tragedy.
 
The call has come after reports regarding the Airbus A320 tragedy on March 24th, in which all 150 people on board died, raised concerns regarding the co-pilot’s history of mental health issues and suggestions he was signed off work by a doctor on the day of the crash.
 
Currently, European rules require that all pilots under 60 are subject to full medical assessments by an Aviation Medical Examiner annually, but Irwin Mitchell has said serious consideration should be given to also requiring pilots to be subject to regular expert psychiatric evaluations.  
 
The law firm’s Aviation Law team, which has vast experience in providing support to those affected by major aviation disasters, are now advising the loved ones of victims killed in the crash.

Jim added that the steps taken by airlines and the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA’s) recommendation that two crewmembers should be in the cockpit on flights at all times were a welcome step forward – but urged that the measure should become compulsory.