The partial incapacitation of a pilot has shown how important it is for pilots to assess their own wellbeing and ability to fly, just as they do for their aircraft.
In this case, the pilot and a flight nurse were flying from Sydney to Port Macquarie in a Raytheon B200 aircraft to pick up a patient.
The aircraft landed at Sydney and after shutdown the pilot became physically ill.
After departing Sydney, the pilot began to feel unwell, experiencing abdominal pain and nausea. After donning his crew oxygen mask, the pilot’s health improved and commenced a return to Sydney. During the descent, the pilot removed his oxygen mask and, soon after, he began to feel unwell again.
The aircraft landed at Sydney and after shutdown the pilot became physically ill. The pilot recovered from the illness about one week later. It was found that he most likely suffered viral gastroenteritis.
You can find this and other investigations in the ATSB’s Aviation Short Investigation Bulletin issue 13. The bulletin highlights valuable safety lessons for pilots, operators and safety managers.
The following resources provide more information about pilot incapacitation and help you to assess if you are fit to fly:
- Pilot Incapacitation: Analysis of Medical Conditions Affecting Pilots Involved in Accidents and Incident – 1 January 1975 to 31 March 2006
- Federal Aviation Administration Risk Management Handbook
- I.M S.A.F.E. Checklist
The Investigation report AO-2012-100 provides important advice on crew incapacitation.