What happened
The incident occurred approximately eight hours into the crew's duty day, following a flight duration of roughly six hours. While traveling from the right seat toward the lavatory, the first officer suffered a brief episode of simple vaso-vagal syncope, lasting about twenty seconds. This medical event was later diagnosed by the manager of the FAA Aeromedical Standards Division.
The crew responded to the situation by reviving the unconscious officer using an ammonia inhalant. Subsequent interviews conducted by aviation medical examiners provided context for the incident. The first officer had been suffering from influenza for three weeks prior to the flight but believed he had fully recovered. During this same period, he was intentionally dieting and lost ten pounds.
The investigation
Medical professionals reviewed the circumstances surrounding the fainting spell. The FAA Aeromedical Standards Division manager determined that the episode of syncope was not likely to recur. Following this assessment, the first officer's first-class medical certificate was reissued with the authorization of the Federal Air Surgeon.