Pilot incapacitation occurrences 2010–2014

een found to be one of the causes of pilot incapacitation (Table 2). It is likely that
cardiovascular problems feature more prominently in general aviation accidents,
but evidence of this is often difficult to establish with certainty, particularly in fatal
accidents.
Table 2: Causes of pilot incapacitation in general aviation
Type of incapacitation
Number of occurrences
Laser strike 4
Loss of consciousness 2
Multiple factors 2
Heart attack 2
Injury sustained during flight 1
Hypoxia 1
Microsleep 1
Dehydration 1
Unknown 1
Total 15
Most general aviation flights are single-pilot operations. In the case of pilot
incapacitation, the consequences can be serious. For instance, there were three
consequential collision with terrain accidents following incapacitation in the 5-year
period (Table 3). Seventy per cent (11 of 15) of the occurrences had a consequential
event following the incapacitation.
Table 3: Consequences as a result of pilot incapacitation in general aviation
Consequential event
Number of occurrences
No effect 4
Collision with terrain 3
Return 2
Diversion 2
Airspace infringement 2
Precautionary descent 1
Precautionary landing 1
Total 15
› 18