After an aircraft accident or incident, how long must a crewmember abstain from alcohol?

• A. 8 hours or until passing a breathalyzer and being cleared by the MOD
• B. 12 hours
• C. 24 hours
• D. 6 hours

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to ensure crew safety by confirming alcohol is no longer a factor. After an aircraft accident or incident, there is a required eight-hour abstinence period to give alcohol time to metabolize. In addition, there’s an objective check: if the crew member provides a breathalyzer result that is within acceptable limits and is cleared by the Medical Operations Department (MOD), they can return to duty even if the eight hours hasn’t fully elapsed. This combination—time plus a clearance test—helps prevent any residual impairment from affecting flight safety. The other listed timeframes don’t align with this standard approach.