Ryanair B738 near Faro on Oct 9th 2013, captain incapacitated
Last Update: December 30, 2014 / 16:09:41 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Oct 9, 2013
Classification
Incident
Cause
Captain incapacitated
Airline
Ryanair
Flight number
FR-3152
Departure
East Midlands, United Kingdom
Destination
Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia, Spain
Aircraft Registration
EI-DCN
Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800
ICAO Type Designator
B738
Emergency services reported an ambulance was dispatched to the airport to take care of a pilot with an anxiety attack, the ambulance had already reached the airport when the alert was cancelled.
The incident aircraft continued the flight after about 2:45 hours on the ground and reached Tenerife with a delay of 3 hours.
The airline reported that the captain became unwell in flight. The first officer diverted the aircraft to Faro for a normal landing, a standby captain was called in to resume the flight.
On Dec 30th 2014 the Irish AAIU released their final report without conclusions but following comment:
Sudden incapacitation of a flight crew member is a rare, but serious event, which requires an immediate and effective response by the remaining crew member(s).
The Co-pilot was aware during the flight that the Commander felt unwell. When the Commander became increasingly unwell, the Co-pilot assumed the command role and took appropriate and considered actions to ensure the safe conclusion of the flight. At all times the Co-pilot acted with due regard to his priorities utilising the principles of CRM6, including summoning the SCCM to assist on the flight deck, confirming the weather at the diversion aerodrome, declaring an emergency, initiating the diversion, keeping the passengers informed and planning and executing a timely descent to a safe landing. Once on the ground, medical assistance was readily available for his colleague.
When an event involving incapacitation of a commander occurs, it places great demands on the remaining flight crew. Initial and recurrent pilot training deals with such an eventuality, which requires clear and focused thinking to plan a course of action, communicate it and execute it without distraction. In this case, the emergency was well handled to a safe conclusion.
The AAIU reported that the captain (35, ATPL, 6,300 hours total, 6,100 hours on type), pilot flying, noticed slight headache during the flight and commented to the first officer (26, CPL, 1,502 hours total, 1,152 hours on type), pilot monitoring, that he had been dealing with a light cold in the previous 6 to 7 days. The flight progressed until approaching the northern coast of Spain when the commander suddenly felt unwell and alerted the first officer, then decided to take a meal break, however his condition deteriorated further and the captain briefly lost consciousness prompting the first officer to assume command of the flight. He declared emergency and after checking weather at Faro requested to divert to Faro, briefed and instructed the purser, illuminated the fasten seat belt signs and briefed the passengers. After the captain regained consciousness he agreed with the decisions by the first officer and decided to leave the cockpit for a few minutes to freshen up, the #2 flight attendant entered the cockpit for the duration of the absence of the captain. The first officer set the aircraft up for the approach to Faro's runway 10, made all passenger announcements and performed all briefings needed for the approach and increased the speed until descending through FL100. At that point he called the captain on the Interphone, and the flight crew agreed it was best for the commander, whose condition had improved significantly, to take his seat for the approach and landing. The commander returned to the cockpit, fastened his harness and positioned his seat as far back as possible to avoid any unintentional interference with flight controls. The first officer completed approach, touchdown and roll out without further incident, the captain then took control to taxi the aircraft to the apron.
The captain received medical attention at the stand and was able to return to the UK the same day.
Aircraft Registration Data
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Oct 9, 2013
Classification
Incident
Cause
Captain incapacitated
Airline
Ryanair
Flight number
FR-3152
Departure
East Midlands, United Kingdom
Destination
Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia, Spain
Aircraft Registration
EI-DCN
Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800
ICAO Type Designator
B738
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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