Co-Pilot Collapses After Takeoff, Forcing Emergency Landing in Dublin

A routine flight from Dublin to Amsterdam quickly turned into a high-stakes emergency when the co-pilot collapsed just minutes after takeoff, forcing the captain to make an immediate return to Dublin Airport. The incident, which occurred on October 19, 2022, was recently detailed in a report by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU).

The co-pilot of the Embraer E175-200 STD aircraft became incapacitated only three minutes after the plane reached an altitude of 10,000 feet. The 35-year-old first officer, who had been at the controls since takeoff, informed the commander that he was feeling unwell before suddenly losing consciousness in his seat.

Faced with a critical situation, the captain acted swiftly, attempting to revive the co-pilot by speaking loudly and shaking him, but he remained unresponsive. With 37 passengers and four crew members on board, the captain made the decision to turn the plane around and requested immediate clearance to return to Dublin Airport. He also alerted emergency services to be ready upon landing.

Engaging the autopilot, the captain took over all flight duties while simultaneously managing the emergency. He called for the cabin crew using the emergency call button and knocking on the cockpit door. Though the co-pilot eventually regained consciousness and appeared stable, the captain deemed him unfit to continue as part of the active crew.

To complicate matters further, during the approach to Dublin Airport, the aircraft encountered a flock of birds at just 100 feet altitude, resulting in a strike to the left side of the nose section. Fortunately, this incident did not affect the aircraft’s performance, but it added to the already heightened stress of the situation.

Despite the challenges, the captain successfully executed a safe landing at 8:40 a.m., just 18 minutes after takeoff. Medical teams were ready on the ground and quickly attended to the co-pilot. A medical evaluation revealed that the co-pilot had suffered from low blood pressure, likely caused by dehydration, lack of food, and the rising cabin altitude after takeoff.

Thanks to the quick thinking of the captain, all passengers and crew were unharmed, and the flight was able to return safely to Dublin.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, travelnoire.com