Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
A PILOT WAS praised after carrying out a safe emergency landing when his commander became ill and briefly lost consciousness during the flight.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit Ireland (AAIU) report into the emergency landing of a Boeing 737-8AS near Lisbon, Portugal on 9 October 2013 at 8.16am said that the co-pilot took appropriate actions to ensure the landing went safely.
There were six crew and 167 passengers on board the flight, and the male captain was 35 years old and had 6,300 hours of flying experience.
What happened on board
The plane departed from East Midlands Airport on a scheduled passenger service to Tenerife. But as the flight progressed, the Commander noticed that he had a slight headache. He had been dealing with a light cold six to seven days previously.
The flight was routine until the aircraft approached the northern coast of Spain, which is when the Commander suddenly felt unwell. He told the co-pilot, and took a meal break, but his condition deteriorated and he briefly lost consciousness.
The co-pilot took command of the flight, and the senior cabin crew member was informed about the situation. The passenger seat-belt sign was switched on to ensure that the cabin could be secured quickly.
The co-pilot suggested an immediate diversion to Faro Airport and the Commander agreed.
After checking the weather conditions were suitable, the co-pilot declared an emergency with Lisbon Air Traffic Control Centre (ATCC) and commenced a diversion. The flight landed without further incident. Once on the ground, the Commander was met and assessed by medical personnel.
The co-pilot “completed the descent, approach and landing without incident”, said the report. The commander received medical attention once they arrived, and returned to the UK the same day.
The co-pilot was 26, with an Irish-issued pilot’s licence, and had a total of 1,502 hours flying time.
“Sudden incapacitation of a flight crew member is a rare, but serious event, which requires an immediate and effective response by the remaining crew member(s),” said the AAIU.
It said that the co-pilot “took appropriate and considered actions to ensure the safe conclusion of the flight” after assuming the command role.
An event involving incapacitation of a commander “places great demands on the remaining flight crew”, said the AAIU.
“In this case, the emergency was well handled to a safe conclusion.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Mcdonalds is always there for me too. Unfortunately for my waist!!
I hate McDonald’s and yet I find their double cheeseburgers annoyingly addictive…
#Jimmy
Mar tá siad lá le siúrce agus cimicí chun go mbeidh tú tugtha dóibh.
Gaeltan,
Perché si rispondere a un commento in una lingua diversa ? è rozzo
Is maith liom sceallóga agus ispíní.
Eh?
Breaking News: James Franco worked in McDonald’s. Bad day at the office Journal?
I know the feeling James, mc Donald’s has often taken me out of a hole too.
Ironic, mackers has taken the hole out of me more than once.
Silly boy.
To be fair it reads a bit like james got a few dollars for reading that script!
McDonald’s where even the salads are unhealthy.
Pure manure!!
Terrible actor, brutal Director and an even worse artist… one guy that should have never given up the day job…
What have you done lately?
Let’s put this to bed once and for all…Big Mac or Whopper??
Neither.
Big Mac on its own or a Whopper if you whack a few BK onion rings into it! Now thats me darza!!
The double cheeseburger for €2
Often emptied my hole!!
Caroline did?
She always was dirty.
Ask the lads…..
Yeah, Cal is well known………
A “full Irish breakfast” is far more dangerous to your waistline than anything served up in McDonalds.
Anyway,why pick on McDonalds?
ALL restaurants serve up fattening foods.
Ever wondered what’s in that “Nouveau Cusine” they serve up in upmarket restaurants?
At least McDonalds is spotlessly clean and hygienic.
Unlike a lot of other “greasy spoon” dumps you see on the high street.
And a LOT cleaner and hygienic than most Irish kitchens I have seen.
McDonalds sells happiness. I’d have it every other month but never as my main meal of the day.
Large chicken legend meal, salsa, no bacon, with coke. That’s the one and only meal I eat at McDonalds and I’d happily eat it everyday if I could get away with it. Add chicken nuggets and its €10 exactly.
have your say