Background

The hypnotic interview is recommended as a viable procedure and a useful tool in aviation accident investigation. In the case study presented, an Army aviation accident investigation board for the first time accepted into evidence information obtained in a hypnotic interview. The hypnotic interview provided the board with evidence which was not previously obtained by other investigative techniques and which proved to be invaluable in the investigative and decision making process. The evidence suggested mechanical failure in a specific component, which laboratory testing later confirmed. The accident investigation board reversed the original opinion of “pilot error” to a unanimous decision of “mechanical failure”. The defective component would not have otherwise been discovered without the evidence from the hypnotic interview.