Audit Initiated of FAA's Pilot Mental Health Program Oversight

DOT OIG Reports

Published March 19th, 2026

Detected March 28th, 2026

Summary

The DOT Office of Inspector General has initiated an audit of the FAA's oversight of the Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) program, a pilot substance misuse treatment program. This audit was requested by a Senate committee member following an incident involving an off-duty pilot and concerns about pilot mental health.

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What changed

The Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG) has announced the initiation of an audit into the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) oversight of the Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) program. The HIMS program is designed to manage the identification, treatment, and return-to-work process for pilots with substance misuse issues. This audit was prompted by a request from the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, citing recent incidents involving pilot mental health and substance use, including a specific event on an Alaska Airlines flight.

The audit's objective is to assess the effectiveness of the FAA's administration and oversight of the HIMS program. While the document does not specify immediate compliance actions for regulated entities, it signals increased scrutiny on pilot mental health and substance misuse protocols within the aviation industry. Compliance officers in aviation should anticipate potential findings and recommendations from this audit that could impact pilot health programs and FAA oversight procedures.

What to do next

Monitor audit progress and findings related to FAA's HIMS program oversight.

Source document (simplified)

New Audit Announcements

Date

March 19, 2026

Audit Initiated of FAA’s Oversight of the Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) Program

Origin Requested by the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Project ID 26A3004A000 File Attachment View PDF Document On October 22, 2023, an Alaska Airlines flight was diverted after an-off duty pilot sitting in the jump seat attempted to shut down the aircraft’s engines. The off-duty pilot later admitted to having recently consumed psychedelic mushrooms while experiencing depression. The incident highlighted the importance of mental health and substance misuse treatment for pilots. The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) program is a substance misuse treatment program that coordinates the identification, treatment, and return-to-work process for affected pilots. Citing concerns with recent incidents involving the mental health of pilots, the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation requested that we review the administration of the HIMS program and its effectiveness. Accordingly, our audit objective will be to assess FAA’s oversight of the HIMS program.