Unresponsive 208 above BNE, RFDS intercept
 

Redcliffe | Aircraft emergency near Brisbane tonight with a Cessna 208 flying from Cairns to Redcliffe Airport reported as unresponsive on autopilot, missing their destination by about 120km. A Royal Flying Doctors Service aircraft was flying alongside in attempts to make contact with the pilot. After a while contact was made and the aircraft landed safely at Gold Coast Airport. A RAAF Wedgetail operating nearby was on standby to escort the aircraft if required. The Pilot is believed to have suffered a medical episode. Source: AussieADSB.com

https://www.facebook.com/1346267818832810/posts/3165431700249737/

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Nothing but ocean ahead

What “medical episode” ends in a safe landing? Hopefully someone’s not destroyed as a consequence of an inadvertent snooze.

First flight since being imported from Indonesia.
Australian C of A done by Skytek in Cairns. Took a few months.
Registered to a Japanese owner with an Australian operator.

It just proves again how great our emergency services are and how quickly they are deployed in any event like this. A lot of pilots get comfort from knowing that if something goes wrong Australia will throw out every available resource to assist you. Well done guys !

1980. Advance Airline B200 LHI to SYD.
Pilot became unconscious enroute, coming to around top of descent.
The 2 passengers were police officers. One provided medical support to the pilot, which helped him come around.
While that was happening, the other Officer was receiving ‘flying lessons’ in preparation for landing.

Also an aeromedical pilot went unconscious a few years back in NSW. Flight nurse helped and he came around OK. Intestinal gas pressure from diet IIRC.

It's easier than you think given the right circumstances to nod off. We are only human and the body needs sleep. (If indeed that's what happened in this event)
Personally I've nodded off only once in 40 years diving planes, woke up when one of the engines surged due fuel starvation! I was bolt upright the rest of the way home across the straight!

Unresponsive 208 above BNE, RFDS intercept
 

Hi all,
https://www.facebook.com/959773844186043/posts/1597505073746247/
Not sure if anyone aware of this one, happened yesterday. Seems a 208 heading to YRED became unresponsive and overshot by about 80nm at FL110. RFDS were able to intercept and provide updates, apparently a RAAF Wedgetail also tasked with guiding them in.
One would guess an oxygen issue. Good work by the folks in BNE CTR. Worth a watch!

Sio am I right in concluding this guy went through BNE primary control zone unplanned and without communication without issue (as he intended to end his journey just to the north of BNE) and somehow that didn't raise any red flags but after he had flown another 120km and exceeded his SAR time ATC started to get concerned?

I remember when I was flying overseas in a regional turboprop operator you could ad a phrase to your flight plan authorising the French Military to run a practice interception on your flight. It happened to me twice where we were informed by ATC of the incoming pair of Mirages, we told the passengers and then they arrived and practiced their signaling maneuvers followed by a chat on 121.5. One of the best memories in my flying career. I think my current employer would sack me for doing anything so reckless.

Damm, that was some very intresting listening.

He really didn’t want to land at the Gold Coast! Big thumbs up to the controller. :ok:

I remember a few years ago when I was still working as a LAME I asked one of our customers if I could do a night freight run with him to Melbourne and back in a twin Caravan, for no other reason than I thought it might be interesting to see how the other half lived, the excuse was I wanted to check the operation of the autopilot. Anyway on the way back at about 3 in the morning I glanced across at the driver and noted eyes closed and head on chest, I wondered at the time whether he was just more relaxed because he knew I was there or whether this was a regular occurrence.

Good outcome, I hope the pilot recovers and retains his/her medical and gets back in the air again quickly, without getting crucified by the authorities.

How far, how fast, how long?
 

Could somebody who knows about these things, please give me a ballpark figure of the flight time in this aircraft from Cairns to Redcliffe.
Thanks.

273 minutes

Yep! That would put me to sleep!

Wow, good outcome to all concerned.........

@machtuk "40 years diving planes"? 🤣

@compressor stall I was working NSW Air Ambulance when this happened. Still friends with he nurse in the event. Your recollection is correct.

halas

Is anyone familiar with the aircraft type able to give insight into what the warning / caution noises heard toward the end of the recording were? I’m not familiar with any of the Cessna 208 warning sounds.

Well done to everyone involved. The professionalism of everyone involved makes me want to get back in the air again.

yep driving planes -) still doing it actually but under my terms -)

I think the emphasis was on ‘diving’ aeroplanes!

The G1000 equipped versions have an alarm for fuel tanks selected to off, fire, and low fuel plus some other annunciations from the display.

By that time, I’m guessing it was the low fuel which start chiming at below 200 pounds per tank.

Oxygen issue at FL110? Anyone knows if that was really the issue? I would be surprised as In Zambia it was common practice to cruise up to FL130 with no oxygen for the sake to fly above the haze layer during my time there. Never heard of any issue.

Four hours is a long time at 11k if you’re not on oxygen. Especially at night.

I remember 10k in a chieftain for 90 mins was a struggle in the day to stay awake.

4 hours! Wow! I missed that bit! I guess you’re right. Happy it ended well. = )

oh please...

I’ve spent half my life at 8,000 it feels like, can’t imagine the extra 2,000 taking me from totally fine to unconscious.

Actially it was a long haul airline pilot who fainted when he realised there was no crewrest at top of climb.

VariablePitchP muses

Then you had better believe it. We were always on O2 above 5000 at night.

CC

Hypoxia affects different people in different ways, and is dependent on age, physical condition, smoker/non-smoker, fatigue and a multitude of other factors.

I have no idea what caused this event, but don't assume that just because you read that a time of useful conciousness at X altitude is Y minutes that you won't suffer the effects until higher or later.

By the sounds of it some of you are so unfit/unhealthy I question if you should be flying or not.

That controller did a great job, going to drink some Claws and light some fireworks in his name tomorrow 👍🏻👍🏻

spektrum, I trust you are not questioning my ability, fitness or health. I followed my employers instructions regarding the use of O2 above 5000 at night as did my colleagues.

Perhaps as it appears as though you do not understand some aspects of the human body that you should avail yourself of a visit to a facility with a Hypobaric Chamber and undertake their course.

I believe you will not only be surprised by the experience but you may also be enlightened.

CC

I always understood night vision starts to be impaired above 5000' without supplemental oxygen.

How do airline pilots survive?

I did quite a few long flights at 10,000’ day and night in a light a/c and never had any issues.........

Above 5,000’ at night seems a bit excessive. You’d better not fly long haul in a typical wide body jet then.....

Agreed. FAR require cabin altitude of less than 8000' for transport cat aircraft. At we're sitting up that high for many many hours.

But, if your employer says wear gas when lower. why not.