QF pilot 'unconscious'
 

Fri "The Daily Telegraph"

Pilot 'unconscious'
June 6, 2003

A QANTAS pilot lost consciousness at the controls yesterday forcing the first officer to take over landing of the Boeing 737 aircraft as it descended into Alice Springs.

The incident on the the Adelaide to Alice Springs flight occurred as the aircraft began its descent about noon.

Qantas media spokesperson Melinda Thomson said she could not confirm the cause of the pilot's sudden illness.

"He was well enough to walk to paramedics at the airport. He has been to the hospital and left again."

She couldn't confirm whether the cabin crew or passengers were aware of what happened.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesperson Peter Gibson said that CASA had not been informed of the incident but said there was "nothing unusual" about the first officer landing the aircraft.

"It does raise some questions about why he did lose consciousness - was it a bad Chinese dinner or did he have a more serious medical condition?".

The Daily Telegraph

==========================================

Hmmm
The NT News reported that the captain 'reported...that he felt faint" about 10 minutes out.

There were the obligatory "collapsed at the controls" and "FO forced to take the controls" but nothing about 'unconsciousness'.

Is the NT News losing its grip on sensationalism?????????:eek:

Depends, did they manage to work a croc into the story?

And that night in the captains locker room - "how on earth did the FO manage to land it safely."

And in the FO's locker room - "how could you tell the old bastard had passed out".

Chad's Funk Blaster

Bwahahahaha good one.:D

That's what you get for eating the crew meal...:yuk:

Seriously, hope he's okay.

NT News has just reported

PILOT PASSES OUT AFTER MARATHON DRINK SESSION WITH CROC

Co Pilots First Emergency Landing After Passing Test

A dramatic inflight emergency occurred this afternoon over the most remote part of the continent, after the captain of the flight collapsed after drinking the night before, at least 20 kilometres away from a live croc.

Simone 18, a passenger from Nightcliffe commented "Awww ****, when we wuz told the Captin had like died an' ****, I thought we wuz all gunna die too. Thank god there wuz pleny of piss on board so we could all get **** faced first"

A pretty young thing from Qantas PR later said that alcohol stocks would being replenished before the flight continued.

NT News

Damn, a missed opportunity for Peter Clark:rolleyes: (Don't ask):yuk: Here's to a speedy recovery:ok:

Peter Clark
 

Good one re: Peter Clark.

Very important to have a hero on board at all times. I always check the passenger manifest before departure to ensure there's a hero on board.

Haven't had to call on Peter though. Has anyone got his cell phone number just in case I ever feel a bit off-colour?

Just jokes...

HEY DRIVER!

Betta wake up soon fella we almost there...

Apart from the sensationalism given by the NT News, true story, I was there.

FO in question needed a lift to the ASP Rydges after the incident. CAPT apparently a bit crook in the guts, said 'all yours mate' or something similar.

Bad enough for CAPT to take a quick trip to Alice Springs Public Hospital -- whether that would have made him better or worse is another question;)

"Hey pailut, you got chudder?" "How does 115 seats at $5000/hr sound?" "We pay you next week?......

Horse, :ok: classic.



:D :D :D

I hope the F/O hit the stop watch as soon as the old fella keeled. Those PIC hours are all important you know!:p

From Boeings QRH check list!

"Captain collaspes"

Recall items

a, Cross captain off seniority list
b, PA pax that captain has died (ensures media coverage, frightens pax & makes you look more of a hero when you land safely)
c, Summon captains "bit on the side" from down the back & arrange to console her later.
d, Check contract for unscheduled overnight allowances.

Incapacitation Checklist for F/O:

1. Check vital signs to ensure death. PA for doctor to confirm death.
2. Note time. This is to ensure accurate command pay calculations.
3. Climb to FL410 then slow to min clean. This will maximise time in the air (see note 2).
4. Consider diverting to furthest suitable alternate (except that if destination is further, then continue as planned).
5. Amend seniority list by crossing Captain off, and also one or two others, like that b@stard who never lets you fly without constant patter as to how you should be doing it. Plonker.
6. Contact media by satphone and pass details. Make things up if required.
7. Land as you have done thousands of times before.
8. Bask in the glory
9. Appear upset at inquiry.

Did the FO grab a pax to read out the checklist so he could like concentrate and read gauges and that and then get him to taxi the a/c in.

The captain recovered enough to taxi the aircraft to the park.

There is only a single tiller on QF 73's on the LHS.

f/o's not authorised to taxi in any case.

Just as well or they might still be on the runway....

"Just as well or they might still be on the runway...."



At that time of day at Alice, that was probably the biggest (potential) issue of all.


CA

Shirly!
 

even if the Captain hadn't recovered the usual Ops Manual disclaimer that '... the manual can't cover all situations and that crew are expected to exercise sound command judgement' would have seen the F/O taxi clear of the RWY.

One assumes (dangerous I know) that even a 737 can be steered on the ground by using diferential power and/or brakes.