In June of this year, a tragic incident occurred at Blackpool Airport when a pilot who was flying with a qualified co-pilot and flight instructor continued to fly after his colleague suffered a cardiac arrest and died. The pilot initially believed the instructor was joking when he pretended to be asleep, and only upon landing did he realise the truth.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has concluded that current medical assessments are acceptable, despite the fact that risks “can never be reduced to zero.” The deceased pilot had passed a physical examination four months prior to the incident, and both pilots were required due to weather conditions.
During taxi, the instructor commented, “Looks good, there’s nothing behind you,” before leaning his head on the pilot’s shoulder and collapsing to the ground. The pilot continued the approach, and it was only after landing that he realised something was wrong. The Civil Aviation Authority’s medical department determined that the instructor died of acute cardiac arrest after conducting an investigation.
The Civil Aviation Authority has stated that it constantly reviews health guidance, and the rarity of accidents caused by cardiac events in flight indicates that the current balance is appropriate. However, it is essential to be aware of the risks and safety regulations associated with aircraft flight.
