Cathay Pacific B773 near Hong Kong on Jan 26th 2019, captain incapacitated
Last Update: August 23, 2023 / 18:42:15 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Jan 26, 2019
Classification
Incident
Cause
Captain incapacitated
Airline
Cathay Pacific
Flight number
CX-583
Departure
Sapporo, Japan
Destination
Hong Kong, China
Aircraft Registration
B-HNP
Aircraft Type
Boeing 777-300
ICAO Type Designator
B773
On Apr 24th 2019 Hong Kong's AAIA released their preliminary report stating the captain (ATPL, 27,500 hours total, 4,000 hours on type in command) had suddenly lost visual acuity, relinquished control of the aircraft to the first officer, moved his seat full aft and secured the shoulder harness to ensure no interference with the flight controls. The first officer informed ATC, declared PAN PAN, requested a priority approach to Hong Kong and continued for a safe landing in Hong Kong.
The captain remained fully conscious and instructed the purser to contact medical advisory services for immediate medical assistance and instructed the first officer to inform the operator's dispatch about the pilot incapacitation and reversion to single pilot. Medical advice was offered and helped to improve the captain's condition. After landing the captain was assisted by paramedics.
On Aug 23rd 2023 the AAIA released their final report concluding the probable cause of the incident (reclassified as incident rather than serious incident) was:
The Captain experienced a loss of focus in both eyes and the situation continued to deteriorate.
The AAIA analysed:
The CN experienced a loss of focus in both eyes and declared his obvious incapacitation shortly thereafter. He enacted the NNC procedures, and advised the FO to take over the aircraft, communicate with the IOC and make a PAN-PAN call to ATC to indicate a state of urgency requiring a priority approach. Therefore, the FO, with the assistance from the cabin crew and ATC, had an early opportunity to maintain control of the aircraft, take care of the CN, and re-organise the flight deck work and land the aircraft.
When the CN declared incapacitated, the FO was the PF and the autopilot system was kept engaged. There was no immediate threat to the control of the aircraft. Optimal use of the autopilot is mandated by airlines as SOPs and it is also one of the steps in the NNC of Pilot Incapacitation. The autopilot system could also autoland the aircraft if required.
The FO did not opt to divert to Taipei because it was the CN’s last command before he declared he was incapacitated. When the CN declared pilot incapacitation, the aircraft was about 147 nautical miles from Taipei and 304 nautical miles from Hong Kong. Taking into consideration of the flight phase, routes (U-turn to Taipei versus enroute to Hong Kong), time taken for negotiating a re-clearance with Taipei ATC, aircraft conditions, meteorological conditions, the CN’s medical situation, etc., the FO’s assessment of the contingency options and the decision to continue to home base is considered appropriate.
According to the FO, the SP read out ACARS messages from the IOC to the CN, and acknowledged each of the FO’s messages and relayed them to the cabin. The SP alleviated the workload of the FO on communication.
The FO used the electronic checklists as per the SOP with the Senior Purser available to read out the paper checklist if required, as he considered that the electronic checklists were obvious enough for him to follow. Since the normal ECLs are automatically displayed in the proper sequence for each phase of flight, it is highly unlikely for a pilot to skip a checklist. Open loop checklist items require pilots to acknowledge each step in a sequence.
Closed loop checklist items are tied via sensors to certain aircraft functions and states. They will not allow a pilot to bypass a step until it is addressed. By having checklists available at the touch of a button, crewmembers, when faced with unexpected situations, have the proper checklists for emergency procedures available.
ATC prioritised the approach of the flight and instructed them to descend for a high speed approach to Hong Kong. The communication of the flight with the enroute and terminal ATC units was effective and the ATC instructions were precise, simple and direct.
There was no evidence indicating that the FO had any difficulty in dealing with the situation and continuation of the flight. Adhering to the SOP and making the best use of the assistance and resources from ATC, cabin crew, and aircraft automation reduced the complexity and workload for the FO.
The aircraft was landed safely and taxied to the arrival gate behind a Follow Me car with no further events. The situation was under control of the FO.
The flight crew and cabin crew complied with the operational aspects of company procedures, policy, and guidance during the descent, approach, and landing.
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Jan 26, 2019
Classification
Incident
Cause
Captain incapacitated
Airline
Cathay Pacific
Flight number
CX-583
Departure
Sapporo, Japan
Destination
Hong Kong, China
Aircraft Registration
B-HNP
Aircraft Type
Boeing 777-300
ICAO Type Designator
B773
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Related articles
Cathay Pacific A35K enroute on Dec 11th 2023, captain felt unwell
A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-1000, registration B-LXM performing flight CX-101 from Hong Kong (China) to Sydney,NS (Australia), was enroute at FL390…
Cathay Pacific A359 near Hong Kong on Feb 21st 2019, captain incapacitated
A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-900, registration B-LRR performing flight CX-170 from Perth,WA (Australia) to Hong Kong (China) with 270 passengers and…
Cathay B773 at Hong Kong on Jun 24th 2023, rejected takeoff due to disagreeing airspeeds
A Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300, registration B-KPQ performing flight CX-880 from Hong Kong (China) to Los Angeles,CA (USA) with 293 passengers and…
Cathay Pacific A35K near Hong Kong on Mar 28th 2023, hydraulic failure
A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-1000, registration B-LXJ performing flight CX-178 from Melbourne,VI (Australia) to Hong Kong (China), was descending…
Cathay A35K at Manchester on Aug 23rd 2022, gear problem after departure
A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-1000, registration B-LXN performing flight CX-216 from Manchester,EN (UK) to Hong Kong (China), was climbing out of…
Newest articles
Algerie B738 at Oran on Mar 27th 2024, cracked window
An Air Algerie Boeing 737-800, registration 7T-VJK performing flight AH-1084 from Oran (Algerie) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France), was enroute at…
Delta BCS3 at Seattle on Mar 27th 2024, brakes failure
A Delta Airlines Bombardies C-Series CS-300, registration N301DU performing flight DL-829 from Anchorage,AK to Seattle,WA (USA), was on final…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways