A Qantas pilot, who is suffering from a mental illness, was allowed to keep flying for three years despite complaining of his urges to crash his planes. The pilot, Bryan Arthur Griffin, worked as a pilot with Qantas from 1966 to 1982. It was at that time that he finally resigned from suffering from severe obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and anxiety. All three of which are bad, but very extreme when mixed.

Mr Griffin struggled to resist these overwhelming urges to switch off the plane’s engines on several occasions between 1979 and 1982. During a flight from Perth to Singapore back in 1979, Mr Griffin stated that his left hand involuntarily moved towards the start levers in a torturous compulsion. He struggled to fight off this urge and had to place his hand under his seat belt to restrain it.

Reports showed that the force of his arm trying to move against the seat belt towards the levers was so great that it made his arm sore. However, this pain and terror dissipated as soon as he left the flight deck and smoked several cigarettes.

After complaining about these urges Mr Griffin was examined by several doctors and was declared fit to fly. He went through many extended leaves to be treated by doctors, but was still allowed to return to the cockpit. It was later fond that his condition was exacerbated by continuing to work for Qantas.

The airline has been ordered to pay compensation of approximately $160,000 for the loss of earnings, plus medical expenses and legal costs. Qantas is considering an appeal of decision. Mr Griffin has never flown an aircraft since his resignation from Qantas.