Emirates B772 near Dubai on Oct 22nd 2014, captain incapacitated

Last Update: March 22, 2018 / 16:40:20 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Oct 22, 2014

Classification
Report

Cause
Captain incapacitated

Airline
Emirates Airlines

Flight number
EK-565

Departure
Bangalore, India

Destination
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Aircraft Registration
A6-EMJ

Aircraft Type
Boeing 777-200

ICAO Type Designator
B772

An Emirates Boeing 777-200, registration A6-EMJ performing flight EK-565 from Bangalore (India) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates), was enroute about one hour into the flight when the captain felt unwell with headache and nausea and decided to take two pain relief tablets from the aircraft first aid kit. He subsequently left his seat several times to visit the bathroom because of the nausea, however, did not vomit, no further symptom like fever, chest pain etc. followed. When the aircraft reached the top of descent into Dubai the captain suddenly felt very nauseaus and had a feeling he could faint. He handed the controls to the first officer, then attempted to stand up. The first officer took control of the aircraft, saw the captain trying to stand up but faint and fall back into his seat, no jerking and no incontinence occurred. The first officer called the purser to the cockpit to take care of the captain, the purser strapped the captain into his seat. The first officer declared Mayday due to pilot incapacitation. About three minutes later the captain regained consciousness but felt fuzzy and advised he was not able to assist with the landing but would be able to perform communication. The first officer continued for a safe landing in Dubai, where paramedics awaited the captain, performed electrocardiogram and blood pressure measurements which were all normal, the captain subsequently went to a hospital for further assessment.

The United Arab Emirates GCAA released their final report concluding:

The AAIS did not determine the cause of the unexplained fainting attack that led to the Commander’s incapacitation.

The GCAA analysed:

The Commander was well-rested, and was able to perform his duties. There were no known precursors which could have contributed to his incapacitation. Following the first fainting episode, the Commander experienced a second episode approximately two months later when alone in his accommodation. Fainting usually occurs when there is insufficient blood flow to the brain. Loss of consciousness may be associated with a temporary low blood flow. It most often occurs when blood pressure is too low and the heart does not send the required supply of oxygen, which is carried by the blood, to the brain.

All subsequent examinations and tests performed on the Commander were unable to indicate the cause of the syncope and the risk for recurrence remained undetermined. Based on this, the Medical Board recommended to the GCAA Aeromedical that the Commander’s license be revoked, which was accepted.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Oct 22, 2014

Classification
Report

Cause
Captain incapacitated

Airline
Emirates Airlines

Flight number
EK-565

Departure
Bangalore, India

Destination
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Aircraft Registration
A6-EMJ

Aircraft Type
Boeing 777-200

ICAO Type Designator
B772

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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