Pilot incapacitation occurrences 2010–2014

first officer reported they had not experienced any side effects previously, but
believes the combination of the testing and a mild case of the flu may have caused
them to feel unwell.
The first officer also noted that in the future they will take annual leave the week
after the tests for monitoring. The DAME’s report for the first officer yielded
negative results for any medical condition (ATSB occurrence 201103749).
Suspected brain aneurysm upon landing
During landing in Perth, the first officer was the pilot flying on a foreign-registered
Boeing 787 Dreamliner. After a normal touchdown, the first officer became
unconscious at the flight controls and the aircraft began to veer to the right of the
centreline. The captain took control of the aircraft to return to the centreline and
completed the landing. The two other flight crew members immediately supported
the first officer and administered oxygen. The first officer remained unconscious
and was stretchered from the aircraft by paramedics. The first officer died in
hospital 2 days later from a suspected brain aneurysm. The flight crew reported
there were no warning signs from the first officer that there was something wrong
(ATSB occurrence 201408011).
Laser strike
During the climb from Sydney, a green laser was pointed at an Embraer ERJ 170.
The first officer, who was pilot flying at the time, saw the laser and reported that
they had impaired vision. The captain then assumed flying responsibilities for the
remainder of the flight to Canberra. After landing, the first officer went to hospital
for an eye examination (ATSB occurrence 201105659).
Source: Stock image
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