Substance Misuse Programs in Commercial Aviation: Safety First (2023)
Chapter: Appendix E: Disclosure of Unavoidable Conflict of Interest
Appendix E
Disclosure of Unavoidable Conflict of Interest
The conflict-of-interest policy of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi) prohibits the appointment of an individual to a committee authoring a Consensus Study Report if the individual has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the task to be performed. An exception to this prohibition is permitted if the National Academies determines that the conflict is unavoidable and the conflict is publicly disclosed. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individual’s actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest.
Daniel DaSilva has a conflict of interest in relation to his service on the Study and Recommendations on the Human Intervention Motivational Study (HIMS), Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program, and Other Drug and Alcohol Programs within the U.S. Department of Transportation Committee because he is an aviation neuropsychologist for a practice that evaluates patients in HIMS.
The National Academies has concluded that in order for the committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established, its membership must include at least one person who has substantial and direct current expertise treating substance abuse in the aviation industry in order to adequately assess the programs. As described in his biographical summary, DaSilva has extensive current expertise with HIMS in clinical and aviation psychology, including conducting neuropsychological and psychological assessments of pilots and air traffic controllers, as well as patients experiencing acquired injuries, illnesses, psychological disorders, and substance abuse problems.
The National Academies has determined that the experience and expertise of DaSilva is needed for the committee to accomplish the task for which it has been established. The National Academies could not find another available individual with the equivalent experience and expertise who does not have a conflict of interest. Therefore, the National Academies has concluded that the conflict is unavoidable.
The National Academies believes that DaSilva can serve effectively as a member of the committee, and the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the study.
