Behind the Cockpit Door

What happens when the greatest threat to aviation safety comes from the people we trust the most? In Behind the Cockpit Door, author Nigel Everton delivers a powerful and haunting investigation into a chilling subset of aviation disasters—those caused by the pilots themselves. Through meticulous research and gripping narrative, this book explores some of the most disturbing cases of pilot suicide and insider sabotage, including FedEx Flight 705, PSA Flight 1771, EgyptAir 990, Germanwings 9525, and the enduring mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Everton goes beyond the headlines to examine the psychology, personal histories, and systemic failures that allowed these tragedies to unfold. He sheds light on the cultural and political forces that keep some nations from acknowledging pilot culpability, and examines how these incidents have led to major security reforms, cockpit protocols, and new mental health screening processes. Combining investigative journalism with thoughtful analysis, Behind the Cockpit Door is an essential read for anyone interested in aviation, psychology, or how we confront the unthinkable in systems built on trust.