Pilot dies mid-flight, plane lands safely

[Slats7]

Pilot dies mid-flight, plane lands safely | Travel News | News.com.au

THE only inkling passengers had that something was wrong on the Continental Airlines flight over the Atlantic Ocean was when an announcement came over the loudspeaker asking if there was a doctor on board.

[samh004]

So I assume they would of removed him from his seat. It's just that this quote suggests they'd leave him where he is, though I suppose you only need one person driving, err, flying:

"It's not a drama. If the captain is ill or incapacitated, you make sure he isn't blocking any controls or the wheel," Duval said in Le Bourget, France, where he was attending the Paris Air Show.

However seeing as they have other crew on board to take over incase there is a problem, and I mean no disrespect, why would the plane be met with all this fanfare of emergency vehicles.

The a/c was in capable hands, shouldn't the idea be to unload the passengers and then see to the captain, thus eliminating any shock or as was the case, a throng of reporters. Or is this one of those things where an actual paramedic has to see him and make the call, as if the MD on board wasn't qualified to make the call.

[NM]

So I assume they would of removed him from his seat. It's just that this quote suggests they'd leave him where he is, though I suppose you only need one person driving, err, flying:

I expect that was assuming there were two pilots initially on the flight. With a 3-pilot crew as was the case with the CO flight, I expect they would have done their best to move the deceased Captain away from the drivers seat, if we was in fact actually seated there when he died.

However seeing as they have other crew on board to take over incase there is a problem, and I mean no disrespect, why would the plane be met with all this fanfare of emergency vehicles.

Because its the LOTFAP

[simongr]

Because its the LOTFAP

Because landing with less than the required number of pilots means that the airline was in breach of "something" and thus can be sued...

[NM]

Because landing with less than the required number of pilots means that the airline was in breach of "something" and thus can be sued...

What is the required number of pilots for that flight? They landed with two qualified pilots on the flight deck (assuming the deceased Captain was not still occupying the left seat). Then it possibly depends on whether either of two pilots were then beyond their duty limits (unknown from the info in the mainstream media).

But even if that was the case, it seems a little over-the-top response unless the pilots has requested such a response or indicated concern.

And on the other hand, if something had gone wrong and the emergency services were required and not deployed in a timely manner, there would be serious questioning about why not. So probably another one of those no-win situations. Better safe than sorry. Better to be accused of being over protective than unresponsive.

[straitman]

What is the required number of pilots for that flight? They landed with two qualified pilots on the flight deck (assuming the deceased Captain was not still occupying the left seat). Then it possibly depends on whether either of two pilots were then beyond their duty limits (unknown from the info in the mainstream media).

It's probably more along the lines of the qualifications and experience of the remaining flight crew. If they were both relatively junior, possible but unlikely, they may have been near or beyond their normal flying experience limits. In this case the emergency assistance could have been called by either the crew or ATC.

If one or both was experienced, which is more likely, then they may not have called for much assistance at all. In that case ATC could have called the emergency.

If they were either of the above but over crew duty times and/or extremely fatigued they probably called for emergency support themselves.

We'll probably never know

[NM]

If they were either of the above but over crew duty times and/or extremely fatigued they probably called for emergency support themselves.

If they were over their duty limits, would they have been required to divert and land before their duty limit was reached?

We'll probably never know

Indeed, but it is interesting to explore some possibilities.

[straitman]

If they were over their duty limits, would they have been required to divert and land before their duty limit was reached?

Dare I say it but logic comes into the answer here The remaining pilots would liaise with their company and come to the best and most appropriate answer. It can't be hard and fast because, for example, if the alternate was only a few minutes closer for landing than the destination an alternate would be silly as you would then have the aircraft, the crew and all the pax at the wrong location. If the alternate was several hours closer and they assessed that they were tired enough they would probably divert.

Fatigue management is a whole separate topic and way to complex and detailed to brush over here.

Indeed, but it is interesting to explore some possibilities.

Absolutely.

[NM]

Dare I say it but logic comes into the answer here The remaining pilots would liaise with their company and come to the best and most appropriate answer. It can't be hard and fast because, for example, if the alternate was only a few minutes closer for landing than the destination an alternate would be silly as you would then have the aircraft, the crew and all the pax at the wrong location. If the alternate was several hours closer and they assessed that they were tired enough they would probably divert.

Oh no, not logic!

Given where they were flying from, I expect YHZ (Halifax) would be about 90 mins short of EWR. Not sure what options would be earlier than that. But given the entire flight duration would have been scheduled for 8.25 hours (assuming its CO61), I would not expect the pilots to be beyond their duty time. So it would seem reasonable to continue to the planned destination once it was determined there was nothing that could be done for the poor Captain.

[straitman]

Oh no, not logic!

Given where they were flying from, I expect YHZ (Halifax) would be about 90 mins short of EWR. Not sure what options would be earlier than that. But given the entire flight duration would have been scheduled for 8.25 hours (assuming its CO61), I would not expect the pilots to be beyond their duty time. So it would seem reasonable to continue to the planned destination once it was determined there was nothing that could be done for the poor Captain.

You have come to a logical conclusion IMHO.