Tue, Nov 07, 2006
First Officer Lands With Captain Strapped Away From
Controls
An Australian Transport
Safety Bureau (ATSB) report says the pilot of a Qantas jet carrying
177 passengers landed with the captain restrained last May 12.
The ATSB says the captain left the cockpit shortly after the
767-300 departed Auckland, New Zealand complaining of nausea and
feeling shaky. One flight attendant administered oxygen to the
captain while another remained in the cockpit to monitor the first
officer.
The first officer took control of the aircraft over the Tasman
Sea and radioed ahead to have an ambulance meet the aircraft in
Melbourne.
The ATSB report indicates the captain did return to the cockpit
before landing, but his "...seat, seatbelt and harness were
adjusted so that he could not inadvertently interfere with the
operation of the aircraft."
Paramedics treated the captain at the aircraft following an
uneventful landing and he was subsequently admitted to a local
hospital.
ATSB investigators learned the captain had been suffering
anxiety problems for several years. He was prescribed
anti-depressants for the condition while also undergoing treatment
for hypertension.
The ATSB investigation concluded the captain's anxiety attack
likely resulted from fatigue and low blood pressure. The medication
the captain was taking for his hypertension lowers blood pressure,
and he reported he'd slept poorly the night before the flight.
While Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority was aware of
the pilot's condition, it's unclear exactly what it was doing about
it other than to monitor.
An Australian and
International Pilots Association spokesman told The Age, and
on-line Australian news service, that airlines monitor the mental
health of pilots, but more education is needed. He added he
believed sufficient support structures are in place to deal with
problems of this nature and more education will further improve
safety.
Qantas would not respond to requests for comment on the
incident.
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