Investigation number
AO-2009-055
Occurrence date
Location
37 km south of Bindook VOR
State
New South Wales
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation level
Short
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Flight crew incapacitation
Occurrence class
Serious Incident
Highest injury level
None

On 31 August 2009 at 1344 Eastern Standard Time, the pilot of a Beech Aircraft Corporation B200T, registered VH-LAB, suffered a seizure and was rendered unconscious, while the aircraft was descending from flight level (FL) 2002 to FL150 inbound to the Bindook VOR. The aircraft was being flown using the aircraft's autopilot coupled to the Global Positioning System (GPS). The aircraft crewman attended to the pilot and notified Air Traffic Control (ATC) of the occurrence.

In the ensuing 20 minutes, the pilot gradually regained consciousness and at 1418 initiated and successfully completed an approach and landing at Bankstown airport.

It was later determined that the pilot had a previously undiscovered medical condition that was the likely cause of the in-flight seizure.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Beech Aircraft Corp
Model
200
Registration
VH-LAB
Serial number
BT-23
Operation type
Aerial Work
Sector
Turboprop
Departure point
Bankstown, NSW
Destination
Bankstown, NSW
Damage
Nil