Safety Investigation Report 2018:2 Analysis/2.3 Medical Human Factors/2.3.3
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SAFETY INVESTIGATION REPORT MH370 (9M-MRO)
2.3 MEDICAL/HUMAN FACTORS ISSUES
2.3.3 Specific Human Factors Issues
In this section, the specific personal relationships, financial background, personal insurance coverage and benefits, past medical and medication history, as well as the recent behaviour of the PIC, FO and all the cabin crew were examined.
- 1) Personal Relationships
Information obtained from family and friends of both the PIC and FO suggested no recent changes or difficulties in personal relationships. There was nothing significant observed by the family and friends of the crew. The PIC and FO as well as the crew were not experiencing difficulties in any personal relationships. - 2) Pilot-in-Command
The investigation into the personal and professional career revealed that the PIC had flawless safety records with a smooth career pathway to his existing position as a Type Rating Examiner on the B777 and has been well respected throughout his flying career. He was considered a leading pilot who was given privileges to be an instructor and examiner. - 3) First Officer
The investigation into the personal and professional career revealed that the FO had a good safety record with a smooth career pathway to his existing position as a Co-pilot under training on the B777-200ER. The investigation into the FO’s personal and professional history revealed no disciplinary records. - 4) Cabin Crew
There is no evidence to suggest that any members of the cabin crew had experienced career-related incidents or mishaps resulting in major disciplinary records. - 5) Financial Background and Insurance Coverage
Information obtained on the financial background for the PIC, FO and all the cabin crew showed no evidence of financial stresses or impending insolvency. Analysis of the bank financial statements did not reveal any incidents of unusual financial transactions.
Based on the available data, investment or trading accounts owned by the PIC were mainly inactive or dormant. The FO and cabin crew have no investment or trading accounts. Insurance coverage records were unremarkable which include generally life insurance policy, motor vehicle insurance policy, medical insurance policy and personal accident policy. There is no evidence of recent or additional insurance cover purchased by the PIC, FO or any members of the cabin crew. - 6) Past medical and medication history
In the course of the investigation, it was confirmed that the PIC sustained a spinal injury as a result of a paragliding accident in January 2007. He was medically certified to have recovered from the injury, and there is no record of him being on long term medication for this, or other medical ailments. Scrutiny of his credit card transactions failed to reveal a pattern of regular purchase of over- the-counter medication of any significance, either in local or overseas pharmacies. The possibility that such medication may have been purchased by cash cannot be excluded.
The Team has further investigated the overseas over-the-counter prescriptions as there was no recorded transaction on the PIC’s credit card on any medications purchased. The Team specifically investigated the possibility of mental/stress-related ailments in the PIC and concluded that there is no medical record or other documentation of the PIC having received psychiatric treatment.
Similarly, there was no documented unusual health-related issues involving the FO. Other than the Inflight Supervisor, the other members of the cabin crew have no significant health-related issues. - 7) Recent Behaviour
According to family members and work associates who interacted with the PIC, FO and the cabin crew on the day of the flight and on their most recent flights, there were no behavioural signs of social isolation, change in habits or interest, self-neglect, involvement in drug or alcohol abuse. There were no significant behavioural changes observed on all the CCTV recordings for the PIC, FO and cabin crew related to the flight. - 8) Overall Comments
Evidence from the medical/human factors issues showed no unusual issues on the PIC, FO and cabin crew.