This is a summary of an article titled “Ryanair pilot had heart attack on flight” as published in the Irish Times (26/08/04, page 8).
Refers to a co-pilot on his first flight with Ryanair (but having previous experience as a captain) who made an emergency landing at Charleroi airport “after the captain became unconscious just after take off”.
“Shortly before departure the captain, who suffered a heart attack, had been seen having animated conversations about his terms and conditions of employment …”.
A discussion of medical issues then follows. The role of a doctor on board is also discussed.
How the events unfolded in the cockpit is reviewed. It appeared as though the pilot was dead, but in the event efforts to resuscitate him were successful. He was “removed to hospital in a critical condition”.
Reference is made to witnesses who stated that he was in good form. This is followed by a quotation from the report referring to telephone call made by the captain before flight “… outlining some difficulties that he had concerning his terms and conditions of employment…”
This is followed by a discussion of the pilot’s medical history.
There is then a reference to “an error between Ryanair’s training and in-flight services departments” regarding the senior cabin crew member’s file. [ The relevance of this only becomes clear by reading the AAIU report (see below), but it is clear that an administrative error occurred and that the said cabin crew member did not fully meet the requirements of his or her position. ]
The article concludes by observing that the “actions of the first officer, the cabin crew, the emergency services, air traffic control and the doctors on board … probably saved the captain’s life.”
“In a statement” Ryanair accepted the reports conclusions. The airline has “already implemented its recommendations.”
Note 1. As the Irish Times is a subscription site, no link is provided
Note 2. Event: Charleroi, 16/07/02. Report published 23/08/04 – to download the report (pdf file is 954kb):
http://www.aaiu.ie/upload/general/5782-0.pdf