Captain incapacitated on flight

A Cathay Pacific A350 flight from Perth to Hong Kong on February 21 has reported a serious problem. Also, Hong Kong’s Air accident investigation is involved in serious probing incident. The incident happened over the China sea.
summary of incident
so what happened?

  • As the A350 flew over the China sea the Captain reported that he felt unwell to his crew. (this included short breath and impaired vision)
  • while first officer took control of the aircraft the flight attendants asked passengers for medical help.
  • The first officer lowered the altitude to ease Captain’s breathing (it worked) also, the FO declared a Pan-Pan. Emergency Oxygen was administered to the Captain. This made his condition better.
  • ATC gave flight CX170 priority for short approch at Hong-Kong International. Where paramedics were at hand to treat the Captain once landed.

here is the article:

extra information: a similar incident happened like this on a Cathay Pacific B777

Thanks for reading this feel free to comment below with no off topic😉

How would you feel if this happened on your flight?

  • Confident
  • Ok
  • Worried
  • Scared
  • Other

0 voters

poll will close on Sunday 28th
2019-04-25T13:18:00Z2019-04-27T22:00:00Z]

🔒poll is now closed🔒

10 Likes

I’m surprised they had O2 on the plane…

2 Likes

As far as I’m aware, all aircraft have bottled O2 on them for occasions like this.


Such a close call, glad to see the pilot recovered!

8 Likes

Since this has never happened to so, therefore it is difficult to give an answer on it. Unless I experience this, I can’t really say how I’d feel about but I wouldn’t be too much worried at all but that’s just me saying while still standing on earth. Being up there, It’d be different story probably.

But since the First Officer was still all well, I’d put my trust and rely on him being able to bring down the plane to safety :)

4 Likes

Thats sarcasm right?

All aircraft have all the necessary equipment for every known incident that may occur. From defibrillators to O2.

5 Likes

I feel that most people tend to forget that the First officer is a “pilot” and can fly the plane. As well as the fact that the pilots are already thoroughly trained for this type of situation. Knowing this, at first i may be scared finding out that one of the pilots is incapacitated but would feel confident that the plane will land safely.

3 Likes

Cathay Pacific actually had two incidents like this within a month of each other on a Boeing 777 in January and the Airbus A350 that you topic relates to!

Cathay Pacific A359 near Hong Kong on Feb 21st 2019, captain incapacitated

Cathay Pacific B773 near Hong Kong on Jan 26th 2019, captain incapacitated

2 Likes

Yes I know, weird I mentioned that in blur text 😉

1 Like

Not relly. And they don’t have all the nessary equipment for every emergency, they have alot, but you still need to land for EMTs as soon as possible

1 Like

Are they asuming that a passenger can use it? Or an I underestimating the medical qualifications of FAs?

2 Likes

Well obviously the plane will land immediately, but planes do carry the necessary medical equipment so that the flight attendants can administer first aid.

1 Like

Flight Attendants will go though different Medical Qualifications from different airlines, however all will have their Countries Standard Medical Certification, Trained CPR and several other certificates. Incase of FA’s need a doctor, or other medical personnel, they’ll ask the passenger to use the O2 while they render aid elsewhere, or preform other tasks.

1 Like

heyyyyy!!!
besides this they have another one!!!
flight from sapporo to hong kong 777-367
the pilot also cannot open his eyes!
the 777 pilot was more serious than the a350!

1 Like

Hum, that’s intresting I wouldn’t have assumed FAs know how to do O2, I mean obviously CPR, etc, but O2 is pretty far.down the list, I mean we’re not eaven trained to use it, and it’s especially important in a drowning

1 Like

I mean, bottled O2 will have a basic pump or button/lever. And a plastic mouth piece. Feel free to continue in DMs!

2 Likes

This is why there’s always two up front. Even when one is using the restroom there’s someone else up there just in case. Partially due to the Eurowings incident I believe. At least what I have seen on US flights.

8 Likes

Bottled O2 is onboard for an additional reason: in case of a loss of cabin pressure FAs can move around and assist passengers. Without they would suffer in less than 20sec at high altitudes.

1 Like

Interesting. I’m not nessarly saying you’re wrong, I’m just suprised since it’s extra training for LifeGuards, and most facilities dont eaven have it…

2 Likes

What do you mean by extra training?

Maybe because they will need to learn how to use it

1 Like