Crew Composition ORO.FC.100 5.1Flight Crew Composition

5.3Crew Member Incapacitation

If the PIC becomes incapacitated during the course of a flight, the second pilot assumes command.

If the PIC of an augmented crew composition becomes incapacitated during the course of a flight, the responsibility for assuming command normally passes to the next qualified flight crew in order of superiority.

Incapacitation of a crew member is defined as any condition which affects the health of a crew member during the performance of duties, associated with the duty / position assigned to him, which renders him incapable of performing the assigned duties.

Incapacitation can be gradual or sudden, subtle or overt, partial or complete and may not be preceded by any warning.

The following procedures are to be used if a flight crewmember suffers any medical symptoms in flight which might impair his ability to handle the airplane such that in a multi pilot crew, he/she would hand over controls. These symptoms include severe pain (especially sudden severe headache or chest pain), dizziness, blurring or partial loss of vision, disorientation, vomiting or diarrhea. The procedures must be followed even if the pilot has apparently recovered, as temporary symptoms are often a warning of more severe illness to follow, and self-diagnosis is notoriously unreliable.

If the affected flight crewmember is handling the airplane, he/she is immediately to inform the other pilot and hand over control to him. The destination, base or appropriate agency is to be informed of the problem and a diversion made to the nearest suitable landing place, bearing in mind the nature and severity of the symptoms and the availability of medical facilities.

The affected flight crewmember is not to take control again for the remainder of the flight and is to lock the shoulder harness to prevent falling on to the controls if the illness becomes more severe. The affected flight crewmember is not to fly again as a crewmember until they’ve been medically examined or, in the case of diarrhea or vomiting, has had no symptoms for 24 hours.

Complete incapacitation may be subtle or overt, and may not be preceded by any warning. While incapacitation may occur at any stage of flight, fatal collapse among flight crew has most commonly occurred in the critical stages of approach and landing when ground proximity presents a direct hazard. Where the Pilot Flying (PF) handling the airplane is incapacitated, an accident is inevitable, unless the other flight crewmember detects the collapse and is able to assume control in sufficient time.

Detection of the incapacitation in the subtle case may be indirect, i.e. only as a result of the flight crewmember not taking some expected action. If, for example, the pilot conducting the approach to land collapses without any overt sign and the body position is maintained, the other flight crewmember will not be aware of his colleague’s collapse until the expected order of events becomes interrupted.

In the context of flight crew incapacitation, it is essential that crew members closely monitor the airplane’s flight path in the critical stages of take-off, initial climb, final approach and landing, and immediately question any deviation from the norm.

Operating procedures require that during all stages of the flight, flight crewmembers call the Pilot Flying (PF) attention to any deviation from the normal flight path or ATC clearance. Adherence to this procedure should assist early detection of the incapacitation of the pilot flying.

Where the pilot flying the airplane has collapsed, the other flight crewmember will assume control. Taking control presupposes that the collapsed pilot’s body does not interfere with the essential primary flying controls and for this reason the requirement to wear full harness whilst occupying a pilot seat is a safeguard.

Once incapacitation has been detected, the first requirement is to ensure that the affected flight crewmember does not interfere with any controls. It is therefore essential that his harness should be locked and, if possible, the seat slid back. Consideration should be given, if practical, to the briefing and use passengers for this task, but caution must be observed due to the risk of the seat moving forward when it becomes unlocked. The next priority is to re-plan the flight, including consideration of diverting to the nearest suitable destination.

Medical advice indicates that immediate first aid is not essential or necessary in cases of sudden incapacitation. Therefore, any attempts at first aid should be delayed until after the immediate operational problems have been dealt with.

The following actions should be taken when incapacitation is recognized:

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  Non-affected flight crew member assumes immediate control and returns the airplane to a safe flight path;
  
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  fasten and lock the seatbelt of the incapacitated flight crewmember to prevent obstruction of flight controls, switches, levers, etc. The help of the cabin crew or passengers might be required;
  
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  declare urgency (PAN PAN) or distress (emergency, MAYDAY) according to the circumstance;
  
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  in the event of incapacitation, the PIC shall ensure assistance for the incapacitated cabin crew member or passenger and security of the cabin;
  
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  re-plan the flight, including consideration of diverting to the nearest suitable aerodrome;
  
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  use the autopilot;
  
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  prepare landing on time, take time to complete all checklists required; and
  
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  order medical assistance to be available after landing.