What if pilot incapacitated?

jtsastre

jtsastre

Well-Known Member
I’m not sure if this question has been asked before, but have any of the 121 pilots been or heard of a situation where the other pilot was incapacitated and you had to fly the plane yourself? It’s obviously possible, but I was thinking it would be pretty difficult to be the only pilot especially in high-workload situations (low visibility, weather, etc.).
 
It's not that big a deal for one pilot to land the plane safely in such an emergency. It's been done many times. Both pilots are fully capable of flying & landing the plane.
 
I think if it was the typical new hire RJ FO that was incapacitated, the captain would actually have an easier job because he wouldnt have to worry about what the new guy is gonna mess up next..
 
CAL had a 757 ca die this year shortly after t/o. the fo had a private pilot passenger come up and sit right seat to "assist" with basic stuff radios etc...
 
30West said:
I think if it was the typical new hire RJ FO that was incapacitated, the captain would actually have an easier job because he wouldnt have to worry about what the new guy is gonna mess up next..
Click to expand...

:rotfl:

MQAAord said:
It's not that big a deal for one pilot to land the plane safely in such an emergency. It's been done many times. Both pilots are fully capable of flying & landing the plane.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say it's not a big deal but, it can and has been done safely. As the new solo PIC, the number one priority is to fly the airplane safely. All other needs are secondary including the health of the incapacitated crewmember.
 
30West said:
I think if it was the typical new hire RJ FO that was incapacitated, the captain would actually have an easier job because he wouldnt have to worry about what the new guy is gonna mess up next..
Click to expand...
and if the captain IS the new guy? :p
 
Say you are part of a 121 crew where either the CA or FO is down, what would you do in regards to px? Obviously announce you are returning to the airport, or landing elsewhere due to a medical emergency, but would you tell them the emergency involves one of the other pilots?

Secondly, in regards to that airplane mentioned above where a PP came up front to help out with the basics...How do you make that call? Do you make an announcement over the PA system asking if there is anyone on board with flight experience? Or do you have a steward/ess quietly go seat to seat asking? Either way, px are going to find out, and I think some will be very nervous.

I'd imagine that it all depends on how you make the announcement, ie- explaining this is the reason for two pilots, and the airplane is fully capable of completing a standard flight/landing with one pilot, however, thats a chitty situation...I'd be just as concerned about getting medical treatment to px in the back who'm may have a panic/heart attack, or any other medical emergency after hearing the news.
 
mooneyguy said:
CAL had a 757 ca die this year shortly after t/o. the fo had a private pilot passenger come up and sit right seat to "assist" with basic stuff radios etc...
Click to expand...

I call BS. A prudent FO would simply turn around and land. Finding someone in the back to "help" would be a waste of time, not to mention stupid (unless it's a qualified company pilot, but still a waste of time). Switching seats after the other pilot kicked off is also stupid unless needed to operate the tiller on the ground.
 
Ralgha said:
I call BS. A prudent FO would simply turn around and land. Finding someone in the back to "help" would be a waste of time, not to mention stupid (unless it's a qualified company pilot, but still a waste of time). Switching seats after the other pilot kicked off is also stupid unless needed to operate the tiller on the ground.
Click to expand...


Not entirely BS. Flight had just taken off from Houston enroute to Mexico with a new captain in the left seat and a check airman in the right seat acting as FO. New captain had a heart attack and was removed from cockpit and taken to cabin. Check airman moved to capt seat and invited a private pilot from the back to help with checklists and radio calls. The aircraft landed safely in Corpus Christi where the new captain was pronounced dead.

I personally would not have invited the young man up front but respect the decision that was made.
 
calcapt said:
Not entirely BS. Flight had just taken off from Houston enroute to Mexico with a new captain in the left seat and a check airman in the right seat acting as FO. New captain had a heart attack and was removed from cockpit and taken to cabin. Check airman moved to capt seat and invited a private pilot from the back to help with checklists and radio calls. The aircraft landed safely in Corpus Christi where the new captain was pronounced dead.

I personally would not have invited the young man up front but respect the decision that was made.
Click to expand...

Ah, him being a check airman makes the difference, in that case I would expect him to move over as he is most likely more comfortable there. I still can't fathom why he brought a private pilot up front. More trouble than it's worth.
 
Ralgha said:
Ah, him being a check airman makes the difference, in that case I would expect him to move over as he is most likely more comfortable there. I still can't fathom why he brought a private pilot up front. More trouble than it's worth.
Click to expand...


Agree:confused:
 
An interesting dynamic is in play with 2 unrelated issues in aviation, both currently outside the US

1. Age 65 Bigger chance of incapacitation

2. MPL basically simulator acft qual on steroids - no pilot experience required, OJT, pilot is not allowed to fly ANY aircraft unsupervised.

Combine the the two...... and they will claim no one saw the potential safety hazard. Probably will result in a hull loss. Oh well, who cares if they get killed as long as they get those cheap fares.
 
Ralgha said:
Ah, him being a check airman makes the difference, in that case I would expect him to move over as he is most likely more comfortable there. I still can't fathom why he brought a private pilot up front. More trouble than it's worth.
Click to expand...

I would think that scaring the ##### out of the pax wouldnt be worth the small amount of help a PVT pilot could offer
 
30West said:
I would think that scaring the ##### out of the pax wouldnt be worth the small amount of help a PVT pilot could offer
Click to expand...

Well if they had already moved the new captain into the cabin, i'm fairly certain that the people in the back knew something was wrong. I would think having somebody with any flight experience in that empty seat would be better in the passengers eyes.
 
Two words.

Otto Pilot.

AirplaneMovieOttoPilotInflatable.jpg


And don't forget the manual inflation valve!
 
That is a tough call. I guess if the other pilot had more time then you it would be great, but if only a PP, maybe maybe not. I guess it would come down to what makes you, the now PIC the most comfortable. Not being a commercial pilot I don't know.
 
I'm waiting for the inevitable "If I take over for the incapacitated Captain, can I log it as PIC?" question.
 
Is it really that difficult to imagine having someone help you with safety of flight items?

"Sit down, there. Read this to me."

You guys really think a private pilot isn't capable of just a simple thing of reading a checklist to the remaining crewmember? This could prevent an incident or accident resulting from a higher workload.

Here's an accident where TWO crewmembers got behind the airplane and didn't take things step by step to get back in control.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001208X05238&key=1

Having one person in the cockpit of a complex airliner could, in some cases be a good time for having a second set of eyes to help prevent missing something. We're not all superhuman. Some are better than others, so before you give someone flak for making a decision like that, consider that it was done in the interest of safety, not the interest of what it must look like.
 
I agree a mere private pilot although capable of reading checklist, also comes as a liability. You are putting important roles into someone who has no CRM training, or air transport category experience. If the person has some air transport category experience, then it is a totally different ball game.

I would imagine on most flights there is an airline pilot, going to work, on vacation, or similar. The BOS-EWR-BOS on CO generally has enough pilots that 6 could become incapacited and they would have a full crew, and someone in the jumpseat. Last time I flew that route they had 9 (yes nine) pilots in uniform going to work.
 
Haven't we all dreamed of being called to duty while riding in the back of an airliner? Could I land it? Could I as a 172 pilot actually land a 757 if I had to?
Come on, we have all dreamed about it.
 
Over the summer, I was riding on a 737 from IAH to LGA the Flight Attendant became incapacitated, guess who sat in the flight attendant jumpseat for landing! It was neat doing the Expressway visual in the forward F/A seat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top