Summary
On 31 August 2009 at 1344 Eastern Standard Time, the pilot of a Beech Aircraft Corporation B200T, registered VH-LAB, suffered a seizure and was rendered unconscious, while the aircraft was descending from flight level (FL) 2002 to FL150 inbound to the Bindook VOR. The aircraft was being flown using the aircraft's autopilot coupled to the Global Positioning System (GPS). The aircraft crewman attended to the pilot and notified Air Traffic Control (ATC) of the occurrence.
In the ensuing 20 minutes, the pilot gradually regained consciousness and at 1418 initiated and successfully completed an approach and landing at Bankstown airport.
It was later determined that the pilot had a previously undiscovered medical condition that was the likely cause of the in-flight seizure.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | AO-2009-055 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 31/08/2009 |
| Location | 37 km south of Bindook VOR |
| State | New South Wales |
| Report release date | 20/04/2010 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation level | Short |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Flight crew incapacitation |
| Occurrence class | Serious Incident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Beech Aircraft Corp |
|---|---|
| Model | 200 |
| Registration | VH-LAB |
| Serial number | BT-23 |
| Sector | Turboprop |
| Operation type | Aerial Work |
| Departure point | Bankstown, NSW |
| Destination | Bankstown, NSW |
| Damage | Nil |