Well, perhaps I should have quoted more of the post.
one of the top causal occurences of aviation accidents. Improve Air traffic controller training...put breathalizers in the cockpit of civilian airliners....you know, things that are more likely to cause your plane to end up "in a bad landing".
I think the clear implication here is that drunk pilots cause aviation accidents.
So drop the fatalities part from my question. Can you show me how many commerical aviation accidents cited drunk pilots as a causal factor? Or link me to a few dozen? I mean, obviously it's something that is "more likely" to cause an accident.
As for drunk pilots getting caught prior to flight, yes, there have been some. There are even a very, very rare few incidents where a legally intoxicated pilot actually flew a leg or three. The Northwest crew many years ago comes to mind. However, I am unaware of any accidents that were attributed to intoxicated pilots. Perhaps you know of some?
Point is, there are basically NO accidents listing intoxicated pilots as a causal factor. There are a few simple reasons for this fact.
1. The number of commercial pilots that show up for work drunk is an infintesimal fraction of those that show up fully sober to do their jobs. Percentage wise, it's not even a blip.
2. There are safeguards built into the system that pretty much prevent an intoxicated crew from leaving the gate.
3. Lastly, even if they do get into the air, it's not "likely" that they will be involved in an accident. Again, the Northwest crew serves as the example. Legally intoxicated is a long way from incapacitated. I'm sure you have driven your car after a few beers; did you crash and die every time?
On another note, are you aware of just how many foreign airlines serve wind to their cockpit crews in flight?
